ilias Ripon, ctg mail, 7 july 2026::

Waterlogging in Chattogram’s Katalganj area has once again come under scrutiny after Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain blamed temporary roofing sheets installed by community centres for obstructing the natural flow of rainwater.

The mayor made the remarks on Tuesday while inspecting several waterlogged locations in Katalganj following recent heavy rainfall. During the visit, he observed that temporary roofing sheets erected over roadside drains and adjacent areas by community centres were blocking drainage channels, resulting in rainwater accumulating on roads and nearby neighbourhoods.

Katalganj waterlogging has remained a recurring challenge during every spell of heavy rainfall, disrupting traffic, business activities and daily life in one of Chattogram’s busiest residential and commercial neighbourhoods.

Speaking to officials and residents during the inspection, Dr Shahadat said the city had made significant progress in reducing waterlogging in many areas through continuous drain cleaning, canal excavation and regular maintenance. However, he noted that localised flooding continues in some places due to man-made obstructions that hinder the smooth flow of stormwater.

“The temporary roofing sheets installed by some community centres are covering drains and blocking rainwater from flowing into the drainage network. As a result, water remains trapped on the roads instead of draining away,” the mayor said.

He emphasised that effective drainage management is impossible if public drains are obstructed by temporary structures. According to him, even well-maintained drainage systems cannot function properly when water flow is interrupted by unauthorised installations.

The mayor said community centres often install temporary roofing sheets for the convenience of hosting weddings, social gatherings and other events during the rainy season. While these arrangements may protect guests from rain, he said they inadvertently create barriers that prevent rainwater from entering nearby drains.

Dr Shahadat directed officials of the Chattogram City Corporation to immediately assess all affected locations in Katalganj and identify every factor contributing to water stagnation. He instructed engineers and officials of the drainage department to remove any unnecessary obstructions without delay and restore the normal flow of stormwater.

He also ordered authorities to inspect community centres and other establishments found to be occupying drainage spaces or covering drains with temporary roofing sheets. If necessary, legal action would be considered against those repeatedly violating city regulations, officials accompanying the mayor said.

The mayor stressed that solving Chattogram’s long-standing waterlogging problem requires cooperation from residents, businesses and private institutions alongside government agencies.

“The City Corporation can clean drains and improve canals, but if people continue blocking drainage channels for their own convenience, the problem will persist,” he said, urging citizens to remain conscious of their civic responsibilities.

Officials said solving Katalganj waterlogging requires uninterrupted drainage, regular maintenance of canals and drains, and the removal of all temporary structures that obstruct the natural flow of stormwater.

During the inspection, officials briefed the mayor on the existing drainage infrastructure in Katalganj and informed him about ongoing maintenance work. They said blocked drains were being cleaned regularly, while additional measures were under consideration to improve water discharge during periods of intense rainfall.

The mayor instructed the engineering department to prepare a comprehensive action plan for increasing drainage capacity in vulnerable locations. The plan, he said, should include regular desilting of drains, removal of illegal obstructions, better maintenance of canals and preventive measures before future monsoon spells.

Local residents welcomed the mayor’s visit and said waterlogging had become a recurring problem in parts of Katalganj whenever heavy rain coincided with blocked drainage outlets. They expressed hope that the inspection would lead to immediate action and long-term improvements.

Residents demanded a permanent solution to Katalganj waterlogging, urging the City Corporation to strengthen monitoring and prevent community centres or other establishments from blocking public drains.

Residents also called for stricter monitoring of temporary structures erected over public drains, arguing that enforcement was essential to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Chattogram City Corporation has recently intensified inspections across different parts of the city to identify the causes of waterlogging and accelerate drainage improvement initiatives. According to city officials, regular monitoring, canal restoration and removal of drainage obstructions remain among the corporation’s key priorities during the ongoing monsoon season.

The CCC has prioritised Katalganj waterlogging mitigation ahead of the peak monsoon, with officials focusing on drain cleaning, canal restoration, removal of illegal obstructions and continuous monitoring of vulnerable locations.

Concluding his visit, Dr Shahadat reiterated that eliminating unnecessary barriers to water flow was essential for protecting city residents from urban flooding. He said the corporation would continue taking action against any activity that compromises the drainage system and pledged to ensure uninterrupted stormwater flow to minimise Katalganj waterlogging and improve overall drainage conditions across Chattogram.