CCC, CDA, WASA, Army and district administration intensify canal restoration, rescue and relief operations amid continuing downpours

By Staff Correspondent | CTG MAIL

CHATTOGRAM, July 9: Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain on Thursday described the recent downpour in the port city as one of the most exceptional weather events in Bangladesh’s history, saying authorities are responding through coordinated emergency measures while accelerating long-term drainage improvements.

Speaking to reporters after an emergency meeting of the 19-member Waterlogging Coordination Committee at Chattogram City Corporation headquarters, the mayor urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities instead of giving in to panic.

He said nearly 1,000 millimetres of rainfall had been recorded in Chattogram over the past four to five days, including 412 millimetres in a single day, making it one of the highest daily rainfall totals ever recorded in Bangladesh.

“Many cities around the world do not receive this amount of rainfall in an entire year,” Dr Shahadat said, adding that the extraordinary weather conditions should be viewed as an exceptional natural disaster rather than an ordinary monsoon event.

The mayor warned that heavy rain is expected to continue over the coming days, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. He called on residents living in vulnerable hillside areas to relocate to safer shelters without delay.

According to him, convincing people to leave dangerous locations remains one of the biggest challenges, as many families are reluctant to abandon their homes and belongings despite the risks.

“Administrative instructions alone cannot solve this problem. We have to earn people’s trust and persuade them to move to safety,” he said.

Dr Shahadat said the city corporation is regularly supplying food and essential assistance to people staying at emergency shelters.

He also thanked the Bangladesh Army, district administration, police, Chattogram WASA, Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), and other government agencies for working around the clock to minimise the impact of the disaster.

The mayor said officials are identifying the specific causes of waterlogging in different parts of the city to develop sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes.

During recent inspections, authorities found that many canals and drainage channels have narrowed over the years because of illegal encroachment, land filling, and poorly planned construction.

Structures built over canals, cattle farms occupying waterways, and footpaths blocking drainage outlets have significantly restricted water flow, he said.

“The removal of these obstacles and restoration of natural drainage channels are now among our highest priorities,” he added.

Dr Shahadat praised the Bangladesh Army’s 34 Engineer Brigade for its ongoing canal restoration and widening work, saying those projects had already reduced the severity of flooding during the current spell of record rainfall.

He noted that without those interventions, the city’s situation could have been considerably worse.

The mayor also highlighted the progress made through continuous canal cleaning and infrastructure improvements since 2025, claiming that waterlogging has been reduced by around 60 percent across the city.

Areas including Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, GEC Circle, Chawkbazar, No. 2 Gate and Bakalia—once known for prolonged flooding after heavy rain—have experienced noticeable improvements, he said.

However, work on several major canals, including Hijra Canal, Jamalkhan Canal, Rampura Canal, Bamanshahi Canal and Ajab Bahar Canal, has slowed because of the ongoing monsoon.

The mayor said these projects are expected to be completed within three to six months after the rainy season ends.

In addition, Chattogram City Corporation has prepared plans to restore and improve another 40 canals across the city as part of its long-term flood mitigation strategy.

Although the city corporation has primary responsibility for addressing waterlogging, Dr Shahadat acknowledged that previous delays in project implementation had slowed progress.

He said authorities are now strengthening coordination among relevant agencies while also planning sustainable maintenance systems, technical support and future funding mechanisms.

Expressing sympathy for residents still affected by flooding, the mayor said emergency assistance would continue until the situation improves.

“We want to assure people that this is an extraordinary natural disaster. We are working together to overcome this challenge. We sincerely regret the suffering of those who remain stranded and are doing everything possible to improve the situation as quickly as we can,” he said.

Dr Shahadat also urged residents to play a greater role in protecting the city’s drainage system by avoiding the disposal of plastic waste and garbage into canals and drains.

“A clean and liveable Chattogram cannot be achieved by the authorities alone. Citizens must also act responsibly because much of the waterlogging is linked to our own behaviour,” he said.

He further called on the media to continue publishing accurate and responsible reporting during the disaster, saying reliable information helps both the public and emergency response agencies.

The mayor expressed optimism that continued implementation of drainage projects, stronger inter-agency coordination and public cooperation would gradually transform Chattogram into a safer, more resilient and waterlogging-free city.