An hour-long downpour on Thursday afternoon submerged several major roads in Dhaka, bringing traffic to a near standstill and disrupting daily life across the capital.
Among the worst-hit areas were Dhanmondi, Nilkhet, Dhaka University, Karwan Bazar, Green Road, and parts of Bashundhara Residential Area and Mirpur, where streets quickly turned into temporary canals following intense rainfall between 4pm and 5pm.
Eyewitnesses reported that water accumulated rapidly on key roads and intersections, slowing vehicles to a crawl and forcing pedestrians to wade through knee-deep water. Public transport services were severely affected in multiple locations.
Dhaka University and Nilkhet faced significant waterlogging, leaving students and commuters struggling to navigate submerged streets and walkways.
Karwan Bazar, one of the capital’s busiest commercial hubs, experienced major congestion during the evening rush hour, with long tailbacks on roads connecting Farmgate and surrounding areas.
In Green road and adjacent neighborhoods, stagnant water created traffic bottlenecks, affecting residents and local businesses. Bashundhara Residential Area saw flooding in several blocks, particularly B, C, and D, with the main entry from 300 Feet Road submerged, hindering vehicle movement.
Roads near North South University and AIUB were also under water, complicating travel for students and staff.
“This is not a new problem for us,” said Tahseen Nower Prachi, a resident of Bashundhara. “Within 30 minutes of heavy rain, large parts of the area get submerged. Emergency travel becomes almost impossible, rickshaws are unavailable, and many vehicles stall due to water entering engines. We’ve grown used to it, but it shouldn’t be accepted as normal.”
Meteorologist Najmul Haque reported that Dhaka recorded 43 millimeters of rain in a three-hour span on Thursday. Other areas included Sirajganj (45 mm), Rangamati (32 mm), and Faridpur (13 mm).
Another monitoring station recorded 64 mm of rainfall during the same period. Najmul Haque noted that while Dhaka Division consists of 17 districts, heavy rainfall was largely concentrated in Dhaka, Faridpur, and Manikganj, while many other districts in the division experienced little or no substantial rainfall.
“The southwest monsoon has now spread across the country, increasing the likelihood of widespread rain in the coming days,” Najmul Haque said.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecasts rain across the country over the next 24 hours, including Mymensingh, Sylhet, Barishal, and Chattogram, while Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, and Khulna divisions may see lighter and more scattered showers.
Urban planners and environmental experts have long warned that rapid urbanisation, encroachment on natural water retention areas, and inadequate drainage systems have made Dhaka highly vulnerable to waterlogging.
Even short, high-intensity rainfall can overwhelm drainage networks, particularly in low-lying areas.
The latest flooding underscores the persistent challenges facing the capital’s drainage infrastructure as the monsoon season intensifies.
Residents expressed frustration over recurring waterlogging, pointing out that despite years of infrastructure projects, many parts of Dhaka continue to flood after relatively brief rainfalls.
With more rain predicted, concerns remain that low-lying areas could remain submerged unless drainage systems are upgraded to handle monsoon rains effectively.
