Waterlogging created by incessant rainfall has caused immense sufferings to the residents of some low-lying areas in the port city on Monday.

Water entered many houses, commercial establishments and Chattogram Maa-Shishu O General Hospital during the heavy downpour.

Low-lying areas including Kapasgola, CDA Residential Area and Halishahar Housing Estate were inundated during the rainfall.

Sources said the heavy rain that started on Sunday night continued till Monday morning.  Commuters, mainly the office goers, were the worst victims of the waterlogging as the movement of traffic was hampered.

Met Office in the city's Patenga area recorded 49.6mm rainfall in 24 hours ended at 3:00 pm on Monday.

Assistant Meteorologist Meghnath Tanchayanga of the Met Office also forecasted light to moderate rainfall in 24 hours till 6:00 pm today (Tuesday).

A bulletin of the Met Office said under the influence of the strong monsoon, squally weather might affect the maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra were advised to hoist cautionary signal no three.
All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay were also asked to stay close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice. Water entered residences and business establishments in the areas.

Activities at Chattogram Maa-Shishu O General Hospital were hampered to a great extent as water entered the ground floor of the hospital.  Patients were seen staying at the hospital and receiving treatment amid the logged-water.

Mentionable, Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) in cooperation with the Bangladesh Army started works of a megaproject involving Tk 5,616 crore for addressing the waterlogging crisis in the port city on April 28 in 2018.

Over 50 per cent works of the project have already been completed, said sources concerned.

On the other hand, Chattogram district administration carried out miking to make people aware of leaving the risky hill slopes to ward off the recurrence of casualty is feared landslide under the influence of the rainfall on Monday.

Miking was carried out in the areas adjoining to 17 risky hills in different parts of the city including Matijharna, Batali Hill, AK Khan and Akbar Shah, said Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Towdhidul Islam of the district administration.

A total of 19 shelter centres were opened to provide accommodation facilities to the distressed people living at the risky foothills, he said.