Retrieve canals to save capital from flooding

They said after being restored, the canals and water bodies will have to be demarcated and re-excavated to prevent future encroachment.

The roundtable on 'Urban Flooding: Case Dhaka City' was organised jointly by Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA) and the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at the IEB seminar room in the city.

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In his keynote speech, Wasa Managing Director ANH Akhtar Hossain said in between 1990 and 2000, around 100 square kilometer of low-lying area around the capital was filled up.

Besides, out of 35 canals in Dhaka, nine have been completely vanished, he added.

Akhtar Hossain called for coordinated efforts by Water Development Board, Dhaka City Corporation , Wasa and Rajuk to tackle the urban flooding.

He said closed canals inside Dhaka -Narayanganj-Demra (DND) dam should be opened up to help solve the waterlogging problem.

Speaking as chief guest at the roundtable, Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas said waterlogging problem in the city began to deteriorate with the filling up of Dholaikhal following pressure from the locals.

He said earth filling in low-lying areas around the capital by the developers is also responsible for waterlogging and flooding in Dhaka.

Moderated by BRAC University Vice- chancellor Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, the roundtable was also addressed by IEB President M Anwarul Azim, Rajuk Chairman Md Shahid Alam, Bela Director Syeda Rezwana Hasan and Rehab President Towfiq M Siraz.