Waterlogging has become a daily ordeal for residents in a key area of Feni town, where poor drainage has left dirty water stagnant on roads even outside the monsoon season, affecting thousands of families.
More than 450 families, with a population exceeding 2,500, live behind Bara Bari in the Hazari Road area under Ward No 13 of Feni municipality. For a prolonged period, ineffective and unplanned drainage has caused waste-filled water from drains to overflow onto the main road.
Residents said foul water remains on the streets for days, even without rainfall, severely disrupting movement for students, traders and pedestrians. Schoolchildren are often forced to walk through contaminated water to reach classes.
Guardians alleged that the persistent stench and polluted water have led to an increase in diarrhoea, skin diseases and other illnesses among children. They fear the situation could worsen if prompt measures are not taken.
Locals said they have repeatedly informed the relevant authorities, but no effective solution has been implemented. Instead, the problem has intensified over time.
Abdul Jabbar, a local teacher, said residents have endured waterlogging for years. He warned that stagnant dirty water poses serious health risks to children and that failure to introduce an effective drainage system could trigger outbreaks of disease.
Abul Kalam Azad Swapan, a labour leader, said the waterlogging on Hazari Road is not a new issue and that repeated complaints to authorities have not resulted in sustainable action. He urged urgent repair and improvement of the drainage system.
Delu Begum, a homemaker, said residents must pass through foul water as soon as they step outside their homes. She expressed concern for children’s health, saying the stench and illnesses are becoming unbearable.
Student Sumaiya Jahan Reva said she sometimes has to walk through knee-deep water on her way to school. She said the contaminated water exposes students to fever, diarrhoea and skin diseases and called for swift administrative action.
Rickshaw puller Mohin Uddin said accumulated water makes it difficult for passengers to board and alight and raises the risk of accidents. He said prolonged inaction could affect both livelihoods and safety.
Residents have demanded immediate administrative intervention and a sustainable drainage solution, warning that continued neglect may lead to serious public health risks.
