Heavy rain inundated roads across Dhaka on the first working day of the week today (12 July), leaving thousands of commuters stranded in traffic, wading through waterlogged streets and paying higher transport fares.
Dhaka recorded 76 mm of rainfall from midnight to 6am today, with heavy rain continuing throughout the morning, reports Prothom Alo.
The rain left roads submerged in many parts of the city, causing major difficulties for office-goers and students.
Traffic came to a near standstill on the Elevated Expressway and several major roads as water accumulated across the capital.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 76mm of rainfall was recorded between midnight and 6am today, the highest six-hour rainfall recorded in the capital so far this month. Rainfall in the 24 hours till 6am reached 97mm.
Meteorologist Md Tarikul Newaz Kabir told Prothom Alo around 7:45am that the 76mm rainfall was the highest recorded in such a period in Dhaka this month. He said relatively heavy rainfall may continue today in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Chattogram divisions before easing slightly from tomorrow.
The weather office attributed the rainfall to an active monsoon, a low-pressure area over the sea and variations in air pressure.
Water accumulated on roads in several parts of the city, including Bijoy Sarani, the Aarong intersection on Manik Mia Avenue, Karwan Bazar, Dhanmondi and Kazipara in Mirpur. Even the entrances to many neighbourhood lanes were submerged.
Private office employee Md Mahobub Hossain Foisal said he had to change three rickshaws to reach work after two battery-run autorickshaws broke down on flooded roads.
"Work from home should be allowed on days like these," he said.
Another office employee, Tanzia, said roads near her home in Shewrapara were submerged, forcing her to walk through nearly knee-deep water to reach work.
She also alleged that rickshaw pullers were charging unusually high fares because of the waterlogging.
Rain has continued across different parts of the country over the past week due to the active monsoon.
Flooding has already affected seven districts, with the heaviest rainfall recorded in Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, although rainfall there eased slightly yesterday.
Heavy Rain / waterlogging in Dhaka
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