Dhaka city drainage system has become a curse

MNA Editorial Desk: Dhaka city drainage system has become a curse. People of the city, instead of enjoying cooler weather and heavy rain, now had to deal with making their ways through flood and sewage water before Eid. Parts of the city went under water. In the densely populated city, woes of people knew no bounds.

In 1954, 1956, 1988, 1998 devastating floods occurred submerging 70 percent or more of the country. Along with the country most of the Dhaka city except pockets of high spots went under various depths of water. There was flood water in old city, eastern and western parts.

However in earlier years, as the eastern and western parts of the city were mostly agricultural lowlands with a few or no human habitation, flood damage remained confined to the city proper only. There was no hue and cry and suffering of people as it is today in the eastern part.

In spite of huge investment over the years, particularly after 1988 floods when almost whole city of Dhaka went under water, the 1998 floods appeared most devastating. About Dhaka city, drainage situation aggravated due to silted-up, blocked drainage channels. WASA’s limited storm water drainage is too inadequate for a city of 850 sq. km. (Greater Dhaka).

Some of the main streets in Mirpur, Shantinagar, Jurain, Malibagh, old Dhaka, Motijheel and Kakrail became waterlogged. In some areas, rainwater had entered many houses on the ground floor. Even after the rain stopped the waters took hours to drain.

This proves that the drainage system was not functioning properly for swift water expulsion. And traffic jams, already terrible in the city in the best of times worsened even further, as the day progressed. In these days in a modern city such a situation should not be expected. However in Bangladesh one learns to expect the unexpected and also live with it.

A total of Tk. 303 crore has been spent in the last four years of the project launched for reducing the water-logging problem of the capital city. And the results were clear enough for all to see on Thursday. Regrettably there is little sign of improvement rather the situation turns worse when various government departments start their maintenance work during the rainy season.

As a matter of fact, even much less rainfall causes water-logging in various parts of the city. Just weeks ago only 34 millimeters and 20 millimeters on May 24 and May 25 respectively created water-logging in several city areas.

Due to poor drainage system in Dhaka city, where most of the canals are grabbed or choked up or filled up with illegal dumping of solid and construction wastes, water-logging remains persistent. The DCC and WASA are mainly responsible for water discharge and maintenance of drainage lines across the city.

According to the DCC statistics, there are around two-and-a-half thousand ditches and water bodies across the Dhaka city. But these spaces are either being grabbed or filled up with waste. The DCC does not clean or dig the spaces. Improper maintenance of existing drainage system and the disposal of solid waste into the drains are also responsible for blockage in drainage system and water-logging.

In order to remove the city’s water-logging problem permanently, the natural drainage system has to be restored. It is only a well-planned drainage system can solve the mega city’s water-logging problem.

Some steps government must immediately take to improve the drainage system

-Master plan of Dhaka City Drainage should be prepared by an experienced consulting engineering firm. A national committee composed of experts from relevant organizations may guide and oversee the activities of the firm. The whole city may be divided into drainage zones according to topography and location.

-An embankment by the east of the city (Eastern Bypass) may be constructed as quickly as possible. If the Eastern Bypass is delayed for the Master Plan, the city will continue to suffer. Western embankment was not delayed for the Master Plan.

-All silted up and choked up channels large, medium or small, should be excavated and made efficient for drainage of rain water. These moribund channels should be cleared and designed to carry runoff in 25 or 35 channels as outlined earlier.

-Drainage channels in the open areas between the city and the existing west and the proposed eastern Bypass should be designed to carry flow and evacuate in the embankment sluices. In some points pumping may be required. We are to design pumps, pump houses etc.

-Protection from future grabbing: Excavated/cleared existing closed or blocked channels should be protected from future grabbing by enacting strict laws, if necessary.

-Drainage channels in DND project area should be cleared and made efficient to carry runoff. Pump house should be made efficient and repaired when necessary. Water-logging in DND area is man-made artificial creation.