Realistically, unless we, as citizens, undertake a transformative approach, expecting constructive intervention from the administration is a futile endeavor

During periods of heavy rainfall, the capital city Dhaka experiences a troublesome issue as knee-deep water accumulates in various areas. This situation leads to damage for natural gas (CNG) powered auto-rickshaws and private cars, as water infiltrates their engines, causing disruptions on numerous roads. Residents and pedestrians bear the brunt of these challenges. Reports indicate that in several regions within Dhaka South City, including places like Jigatla in Dhanmondi, Green Road, Kazi Alauddin Road in Old Dhaka, Siddique Bazar, Aga Sadek Road, Abul Hasnat Road, as well as surrounding neighborhoods like East Jurain and Nayapalton, it took five to six hours to clear the roads from accumulated water.

A staggering 156 locations across Dhaka are presently submerged due to flooding. The two city corporations in Dhaka are making efforts to address this issue through short and medium-term programs during this monsoon season. However, urban planners and corporation engineers opine that this Waterlogging predicament is likely to persist not only through the current monsoon but also into the next.

Meanwhile, the Port city Chittagong is also grappling with the consequences of rain and flooding. This year’s monsoon and tidal waters have resulted in significant inconveniences. The stretch of road in the central city from Bahaddarhat Badurtala to Chawkbazar Telipatti intersection is submerged in knee-deep water, while a kilometer-long section from Muradpur Shulakbahar to Bahaddarhat is similarly affected. Water levels have risen in the Katalganj area of Panchlaish Road as well as Katalganj itself. Other parts of the city, such as Baklia, Halishahar Nayabazar, Gate No. 2 of the Oxygen area, and Bayezid Bostami Road, are also struggling with flooding issues.

WHAT ARE THE STATEMENTS FROM THE CITY CORPORATION LEADERS?

Following heavy rainfall on June 1st, Dhaka experienced significant water accumulation, resulting in extended periods of waterlogging across multiple areas. On that day, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) generated a waterlogging map to assess the situation. Based on the engineering department’s assessment within DNCC, a total of 103 locations within the northern part of the city are grappling with either temporary or chronic waterlogging.

Previously, the engineering department of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) had pinpointed 39 flood-prone areas through surface inspections during the previous monsoon season. Subsequently, an additional 14 areas were identified, bringing the total to 53 in the southern part of the city. The authorities initiated efforts to mitigate waterlogging in these locations. Engineers have attributed the waterlogging issues to deficient Drainage systems, clogged drains, narrow conduits, and obstacles obstructing water flow.

Waterlogging concerns in certain regions are intertwined with challenges like waste management, restricted drain widths, and ongoing construction projects. Authorities are engaging in discussions with relevant stakeholders to identify solutions. Some instances of waterlogging require more prolonged and resource-intensive measures. Specific projects might be undertaken to address these issues.

Atiqul Islam, the mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), highlighted that recurring flooding occurs in some areas each year. Identifiable waterlogging hotspots are receiving attention, with efforts focused on six priority locations. The aim is to ensure that rainwater dissipates within an hour anywhere in Dhaka within the next two years.

DSCC is currently executing projects totaling Tk139 crore aimed at mitigating waterlogging across the 53 identified locations. This initiative involves the renovation of at least 25 sewer areas and the installation of pipes during the ongoing monsoon season. Additionally, progress is underway on sewerage and footpath development. Each councilor within DSCC has been allocated one crore taka to contribute to sewer and footpath renovations.

Farid Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of DSCC, affirmed that endeavors are being channeled into completing the ongoing work in the 53 designated areas within the next 20 days. Once these undertakings are finalized, the severity of waterlogging during the current monsoon season is expected to be considerably reduced. However, it has been acknowledged that the rainwater capacity within DSCC’s jurisdiction is only one-third of the necessary capacity, necessitating further enhancements.

MANAGEMENT OF CAPITAL’S CANALS DIVIDED BETWEEN CITY CORPORATIONS

The responsibility for overseeing the canals within the capital city has been divided between the two city corporations. A total of 26 canals have been transitioned from Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to these two entities. Additionally, 17 canals fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Rajuk, and the Water Development Board. The government has decided to transfer control of these canals and reservoirs to the city corporations. As of December 31, the responsibility for waterlogging prevention, including canal and drainage management, was formally transferred from Dhaka WASA to the two city corporations. Following this transfer, the two city authorities have been engaged in the canal and box culvert cleaning efforts. Nonetheless, urban planners and city corporation officials caution that merely maintaining clean canals will not be sufficient to address the waterlogging issue. The process from rainwater entering the drains to its eventual discharge into the river involves several stages. Long-term initiatives are imperative for resolving waterlogging comprehensively. Concerns persist that, beyond the current monsoon season, the capital’s residents may continue to endure flooding during the subsequent monsoons unless sustainable measures are implemented.

WATERLOGGING MITIGATION STRATEGIES

Following the assumption of canal management responsibilities on December 31, both city corporations have embarked on a combination of immediate and enduring measures. The nearterm approach has involved canal cleansing as well as the initiation of a scheme to demarcate the canal perimeters and enclose them with barbed wire fencing. Simultaneously, the city authorities are formulating comprehensive project proposals for long-term solutions, with Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) having already submitted a Tk981 crore project for the enhancement of Kalungagar, Jirani, Manda, and Shyampur canals. This endeavor, titled ‘Rehabilitation, Renovation, and Aesthetic Enhancement of Waterlogging Canals,’ envisions canal restoration along both banks. This restoration involves the integration of walkways, cycling lanes, fishing shelters, gardens, footbridges, and public restrooms.

Similarly, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is engaged in strategic long-term drainage and canal enhancement planning. Their blueprint encompasses delineating canal boundaries, dismantling illicit structures, augmenting capacity by excavating accumulated sediment and introducing walkways, cycling lanes, and greenery along the canal edges.

While the city corporations have indeed identified waterlogging-prone zones, there is an acknowledgment that timely action is imperative. Rapid solutions need not exclusively revolve around extensive projects; equal emphasis should be placed on curbing waste mismanagement. To this end, active community engagement is vital to ensure that households and other waste sources cease to be pollutants in the canals.

ADDRESSING WATER DRAINAGE CHALLENGES IN DHAKA

Despite extensive discussions spanning multiple years, the waterlogging predicament in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, remains unresolved. Even with moderate rainfall, the city grapples with widespread inundation. Experts assert that the core issue lies in the absence of effective drainage pathways for Dhaka’s accumulated water. In light of this, some propose embracing controlled flooding.

Dhaka’s dual city corporations are entrusted with managing a sprawling network, including 2,500 km of open drains and 4,000 km of underground drainage systems. Over the past four years, more than Tk303 crore has been invested to enhance these systems. The collected rainwater, commonly referred to as ‘runoff water,’ should ideally be directed through ‘storm’ drains. Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is currently implementing the ‘Storm Water Drainage Master Plan,’ but the timeline for completion remains uncertain. Dhaka WASA plays a significant role in supplying water and maintaining 39% of the city’s drainage systems, which encompass 65 km of openings, box culverts, and a drainage pumping mechanism. However, these mechanisms often fail to function optimally

Dr. Sarwar Jahan from the Urban and Regional Planning Department at BUET notes that unplanned urban growth, coupled with population expansion, has filled natural drainage systems such as canals and ponds. He emphasizes the need to create opportunities for water movement, considering the degradation of these natural systems.

The issue of collaboration and coordination among agencies arises. While there’s a shared responsibility among WASA, city corporations, and the Water Development Board for water drainage, a lack of synergy hampers effective action. Dr. Jahan suggests that beyond repairing ADDRESSING WATER DRAINAGE CHALLENGES IN DHAKA existing drainage systems, it’s crucial to manage new systems above and below the ground.

According to a study by BRAC University, Dhaka generates 6,110 tons of household waste daily, with each resident contributing 377 grams, predominantly organic matter. Waste production has nearly doubled in the last decade. This waste, combined with rainwater, compounds the waterlogging issue. Efforts to mitigate waterlogging include the procurement of advanced ‘Jet and Sucker Machines’ by the city corporations, capable of cleaning a 120-meter drain in 10 minutes. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain.

Disagreements between WASA and city corporations exacerbate the situation. WASA has disclaimed responsibility for flooding in a letter to the local government department. The lack of coordination between these entities, particularly in annual cleaning efforts, exacerbates the waterlogging problem. Tofail Ahmed, a former executive engineer at BIWTA and urban expert, asserts that the obstruction of natural drainage channels through urbanization has impeded water flow, leading to flooding. He suggests that restoring these channels is crucial.

Professor Golam Rahman, former vice-chancellor of Khulna University and president of Bangladesh Planners Institute, highlights the importance of holistic planning beyond Dhaka to address the issue effectively.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WATERLOGGING

The annual economic toll attributed to flooding in Khatunganj exceeds Tk500 crores. This significant loss is felt acutely in the heart of the nation’s primary wholesale trading hub, encompassing Chaktai, Khatunganj, Achadganj, and Qorbaniganj, which together have borne a staggering financial setback of Tk2,517 crore. An analysis based on a survey of 5,000 business establishments reveals that last year alone, flooding translated to an estimated economic loss of Tk514 crore for traders in Khatunganj and its vicinity. This figure marks a notable escalation from the 2011 assessment of Tk174 crore. However, no comprehensive and authoritative evaluation exists regarding Dhaka City’s economic losses attributable to waterlogging.

In calculating this economic adversity, various factors come into play, encompassing damages to perishable goods, recovery costs for partially affected items, additional labor expenses, increased transportation outlays, and the depreciation of capital assets. Moreover, the estimation of economic loss considers the diminished sales caused by waterlogging. Beyond financial implications, the survey also highlights the emotional toll on traders. The study underscores that a significant 91.53 percent of traders experience emotional distress, with 64.41 percent exhibiting reluctance to continue their business operations, and 71.19 percent enduring a tarnished reputation in the eyes of buyers (Figure 1).

WHAT DOES THE DETAILED AREA PLAN (DAP), 2016-2035, STATE?

The successful execution of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), spanning from 2016 to 2035, hinges on the collaborative endeavors and proactive stance of all entities involved in the city’s development, with a primary emphasis on public participation. At present, Dhaka’s residents grapple with a myriad of challenges. Persistent traffic congestion, recurring waterlogging, and various civic issues inflict hardships on the populace. The proliferation of factories has led to environmental degradation, while rivers, canals, and reservoirs face the threat of being filled in. Floodplains are encroached upon, and agricultural lands are indiscriminately converted into residential zones. The Detailed Area Plan serves as a comprehensive amalgamation of the desires and opinions of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Successful implementation of this plan holds the promise of establishing equilibrium in the holistic progress of Dhaka city

RAJUK’S FIVE PROPOSALS TO ALLEVIATE WATERLOGGING

Contained within the updated Detailed Area Plan (DAP) are remedies for addressing the waterlogging predicament in Dhaka and its neighboring regions. Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) has underscored five pivotal recommendations in the revised plan to effectively combat waterlogging. If these suggestions are rigorously implemented, the potential for sustainable solutions to water drainage and waterlogging emerges.

Experts point out that Rajuk’s past iteration of the DAP was rife with discrepancies, inviting considerable criticism. Drawing from these lessons and aiming for practicality, the revised DAP solicits insights from diverse sectors of society to craft comprehensive strategies for sustainable water drainage and waterlogging solutions.

Ashraful Islam, the Project Director of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), elucidated that the revised DAP incorporates specific measures to establish a robust water drainage system in and around Dhaka. These proposed actions, when executed, have the potential to holistically address the gamut of water drainage challenges, including waterlogging. Furthermore, he highlighted the escalating rainfall attributed to climate change, underscoring the necessity to not only safeguard drainage systems, canals, and rivers but also to introduce greenery atop rooftops and open spaces to ameliorate the environment. Without these interventions, the existing drainage system might struggle to expeditiously manage augmented precipitation.

M Inamul Haque, former Director General of the Water Development Board, lauded the positive inclinations of the revised DAP. These recommendations encompass safeguarding the Rajuk canal, maintaining the flow of rivers and canals, and safeguarding reservoirs, rectifying lapses from the past DAP which led to Dhaka’s predicament. He further commended the inclusion of water modeling by CEGIS and IWM to bridge drainage, canal, and river connectivity. This concerted approach is aimed at tackling water drainage challenges systematically. Sohail Masud, Director of the Institute of Water Modelling (IWM), elucidated their contributions in analyzing water drainage intricacies in the eastern part of Dhaka.

Malik Fida Abdullah Khan, deputy managing director of the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), affirmed that their evaluations have delineated the requisite connections between drainage, canals, and rivers in the western part of Dhaka. The recommendations advocate for canal restoration and re-excavation, sustaining river flow, and preserving reservoirs, even if land acquisition becomes necessary.

It is envisioned that the revised DAP, reflecting these recommendations, holds the potential to significantly mitigate the waterlogging challenges faced by Dhaka and its adjoining regions, contingent upon effective government implementation.

WATERLOGGING: OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

Waterlogging stands as a significant challenge we confront every monsoon season, with its severity notably escalating in areas like Dhaka and Chittagong. Often, we direct blame toward mayors, administrations, and even the government for this issue. Yet, pause for a moment—have we ever introspected about our role in perpetuating this problem?

In truth, we bear the foremost responsibility for the persistent waterlogging predicament year after year. Our negligence directly contributes to this dilemma. Our drains and canals have become choked with polythene, bottles, and plastics, thanks to our casual disposal of waste. This prevailing state of affairs stems from a lack of awareness. The absence of an adequate drainage infrastructure coupled with haphazard urban expansion has transformed the soothing rains into an aggravating nuisance.

Acknowledging our shortcomings is vital. Some of our fellow citizens exhibit a lack of awareness and engage in detrimental actions that exacerbate the waterlogging issue within the city. Realistically, unless we, as citizens, undertake a transformative approach, expecting constructive intervention from the administration is a futile endeavor. Summary: The city of Dhaka is grappling with the persistent challenge of waterlogging during the monsoon season, causing disruptions and damage to vehicles, roads, and livelihoods. The issue is exacerbated by factors such as unplanned urbanization, waste accumulation, inadequate drainage systems, and encroachment on water bodies. While both Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) are taking measures to mitigate the problem, experts emphasize that citizen awareness and participation are crucial. Meanwhile, Chittagong also faces similar flooding issues, prompting calls for comprehensive solutions that integrate improved drainage, canal restoration, and effective waste management.

The post WATERLOGGING: FIGHT AGAINST A SEVERE NUISANCE appeared first on Press Xpress.