Nonstop rainfall halts normal life in country

Dhaka, Aug 10 (The-Editor): Nonstop downpour halted normal life in the city along with other sides of the country.

The non-stop rainfall that began on Monday would start easing up in the capital and adjoining districts after today.

However, in other parts of the country, the heavy monsoon would continue for a few more days, said met officials.

Flash flood has already knocked down at many places in several southern districts.

In Dhaka, the nonstop downpour created tailback to test people’s patience facing the natural disaster.

Many parts of the city went under knee-deep water. The worst-affected areas are Shantinagar, Mouchak, Moghbazar, Rampura, Badda, Jatrabari and Gulshan.

While contacted, Himadri Rehman, a NGO officer, said he had to face intolerable traffic congestion erupted for the heavy downpour while coming to office at Mohammadpur from his Rampura residence.

Some motorcyclists and pedestrians were forced to take buses or other vehicles to avoid the rain, adding to the pressure on public transport.

Meanwhile hundreds of commuters, seen stranded on both sides of most of the city roads alleged Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) stating that most of the roads went under construction in monsoon season that caused waterlogging.

However Wasa, in a press statement, claimed most of the city streets have been cleared of waterlogging.

56mm rain was recorded in Dhaka in 12 hours ending at 6:00pm yesterday.

The highest rainfall in the country was recorded at Hatiya in Chittagong, which was 254mm in 12 hours from 6:00pm Monday. Cox's Bazar was second with 218mm.

Sea ports in Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla have been asked to hoist local cautionary signal number three and fishing boats and trawlers in the Bay of Bengal were advised to proceed with caution, said met office bulletin.