Heavy rain paralyses life in Rajshahi city
Low lying areas go under water
Like this family, many others in Hargram, Basua and Achintala areas of Rajshahi city are passing days amid sufferings as incessant downpour inundated low lying areas of the city. Photo: STAR
Incessant rain throughout the day here yesterday paralysed life in the city. Water logging in different low lying areas of the city has aggravated the situation. The affected areas are Chhoto Bongram, Mollapara, Dingadoba, Mushroil, Sopura, Tikapara, Seroil, Baliapukur, Machuapara, Haragram, Achintola and Basua. People in the aforesaid areas remained indoors with knee-deep water inside their houses. Rainwater has overflowed ponds, drains, roads and fields. Filthy drain water has posed a health hazard in the areas. People of Dari Khorbona were the worst victims. However, water receded from the area as Rajshahi City Corporation employees cleaned the drainage system in the afternoon. People were seen catching fish in a field at Chhyaneer Residential Area. Sufferings of poor people living in shanties and thatched houses near the railway tract and stadium area knew no bound. It started raining in the early hours which continued till filing of this report yesterday afternoon. Rajshahi witnessed heavy rainfall this monsoon, local met officials said. Nazrul Islam of Rajshahi Meteorological office said, 303.4mm rainfall was recorded till date since August 1 while 172.4mm rainfall was recorded in last 24 hours in Rajshahi. Rajshahi witnessed 341mm rainfall in June and 146mm in July. Water levels of the Padma and Mohananda rivers rose breaking all past records. Murtoza Ali, a hydrology officer of Rajshahi Water Development Board said, water levels of both the rivers slightly receded as water entered several tributaries and khals (water bodies) connecting the rivers. Agriculture officer Nazrul Islam said, rain has caused damage to vegetables like gourd, bitter gourd, brinjal and green chili etc. However, it will benefit aman paddy, he said. Jute farmers are happy as they get water for rotting jute, he said. Unlike last one decade, the rainy season has reappeared with its all features filling ponds, ditches, beels (water bodies) which remained dry for years together.
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