Photo : Messenger
On Friday (July 12), heavy rainfall lasting several hours from early morning has caused widespread waterlogging on the Dhaka University campus.
Extensive waterlogging has occurred in areas including Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, Bangladesh-Kuwait Friendship Hall, Shaheed Sergeant Jahrul Haque Hall, the road in front of Shaheed Minar, the road from the Freedom and Democracy Gate to the VC Roundabout, Mall Chattar, Muhsin Hall, Hall Para, Samsunnahar Hall, Shahidullah Hall, Salimullah Muslim Hall, Shaheed Shahnewaz Hall dormitory, and the Newmarket area.
On-site inspection reveals that water has accumulated up to neck-level inside the halls. Knee-deep water has entered the ground floors of the halls. The playing field of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall is submerged in waist-deep water.
The resident students of the halls are facing difficulties due to the waterlogging. Additionally, the playing fields of the university halls are inundated.
Expressing disappointment at the waterlogging even after light rainfall, a pump officer of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, on condition of anonymity, says that water is usually drained out using drains and pumps.
But in contrast, the pumps of Bangamata Hall are lifting water. The drains are not cleaned regularly. As a result, even light rainfall leads to a flood-like situation.
The security guard of Bangladesh-Kuwait Friendship Hall says that water from high areas like the Azimpur Graveyard accumulates in the hall area. But due to the lack of proper drainage facilities, we always have to face such floods.
Describing the ordeal of moving around in the waterlogging, Tabassum Akhi, a student of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, says, "I came out of the hall wading through neck-deep water. I am completely drenched.
We have to get out this way through this dirty water." She requests the Prime Minister, saying, "Honorable Prime Minister, if you could gift a few boats to the authorities of Bangamata and Kuwait Friendship Halls, at least we would be able to commute."
Regarding this, Dr. Najmun Nahar, the provost of Bangladesh-Kuwait Friendship Hall, tells messenger, "Extensive waterlogging has occurred in the hall area. I am here myself. We have shifted the students staying in rooms 106 to 110 on the ground floor of Maitree Hall to the upper floors."
She further says, "We actually have nothing to do about the waterlogging. These issues are handled by the City Corporation. We have informed the City Corporation authorities.
They have said they will arrive within an hour. If they come and clean the drains and pumps, we hope the water will recede in the shortest possible time."
Messenger/Nakib/Apple
