Unplanned drainage system, widespread canal encroachment, and the unchecked construction of box culverts that block natural water flow are blamed for the worsening waterlogging in Noakhali town.
A field visit revealed that the recent spell of continuous heavy rain has left much of the district headquarters in Maijdee waterlogged. Streets and neighborhoods remain inundated, with knee-deep water seen in areas such as Stadium Para, DC Road, Jail Road, Horinarayanpur, Lokkhinorayanpur, Al-Farooq Academy, Alipur, the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Press Club area, Court premises, Municipal Market, and Housing areas.
Many roads have also developed potholes, turning into hazardous zones for vehicles and pedestrians alike.
Locals identify several direct causes behind the worsening waterlogging. Chief among them is the town’s outdated and insufficient drainage system. Most drains are narrow and frequently clogged with waste due to lack of regular cleaning, leading to overflow during rain.
Amirul Islam, a resident of Noakhali town, highlighted another major cause: canal encroachment. “The canals that once ran along the town played a key role in draining rainwater. But over time, influential individuals and land grabbers have occupied these canals, building structures on them or filling them in,” he said. As a result, natural water channels have been blocked, leaving rainwater with nowhere to go.
Illegal construction on government land, unregulated culvert installations, and unplanned housing developments have further intensified the crisis. The construction of box culverts, in particular, has become a major obstacle to water flow. These culverts often hinder drainage instead of facilitating it, exacerbating the waterlogging even during brief spells of rain.
Another local resident pointed out that rapid urban expansion has led to the filling of natural water reservoirs like ponds, canals, wetlands, and low-lying areas—spaces that once helped retain rainwater and prevent flooding. The loss of these natural drainage outlets has made the city highly vulnerable to flooding. He also criticized the municipality’s neglect of proper water drainage maintenance.
Although the Noakhali Municipality has announced several initiatives over the years to address the issue, residents say that none of these have produced visible or lasting results. Citizens are now demanding immediate and effective action to resolve the waterlogging problem. Without meaningful intervention, they fear waterlogging will remain a seasonal curse for the people of Noakhali.