The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Chittagong

Ceaseless moderate to heavy rain backed by unusual high tide in the bay stalled civic life here in the port city and its adjoining districts for the third consecutive day on Thursday.

The downward rush from hills or uplands has either washed away standing crops, dwellings and structures or caused prolonged inundation and flashflood at the low-lying areas in the city and at places in Bandarban and Cox's Bazaar districts.

Three main rivers in the region Karnaphuli, Matamuhuri and Sangu have reportedly been flowing near the danger mark.

The stagnant rainwater, what is promoting the chances of moderate floods this monsoon, has reportedly marooned many people both in the city and in the remote hill prairies snapping vehicular traffic on Keranihat-Bandarban road.

Standing crops mainly at villages in Satkania, Pekua, Ramu, Chakaria, Ukhia apart from the valleys and prairies in Bandarban hill district have all ready been damaged.

Dozens of dwelling were washed away when an embankment at Deangpara in Ramu dismantled by the down rush of rainwater from the hills.

The ferocious tidal surge in the bay inundated two thirds of the port city today.

Local weathermen predicted no improvement of monsoon within next couple of days. More than 290 millimeters of rainfall was recorded here in the port city over the last 24 hours ended at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. The sky had been covered with thick black clouds till the time of dispatching this report what might come down in the form of heavy rain at any moment.

Sources at Shah Amanat International Airport (SAIA) in Chittagong admitted that many of the flights both domestic and international had to go behind the schedule because of the inclement weather.

Presence of commuters on the city streets dropped signifi-cantly even in the working hours. Many employees of both public and private offices quit their works far ahead the formal breaking time.

The moderate shower and flashflood enhanced the suffering of the slum residents and ultra-poor either rendering them homeless or making their stay under open sky difficult.