Dhaka Torrent

Just one hour of heavy rains led to the collapse of the capital's traffic system as most of the roads, lanes and bi-lanes were inundated with hundreds of vehicles stranded for hours yesterday, causing immense sufferings to tens of thousands of commuters. Waterlogging compelled many to walk miles after getting off buses stuck in nearly unending tailbacks in all major roads, including the Kazi Nazrul Islam avenue, Mirpur road, Manik Mia avenue, Pragati Sarani.

Many passengers had to walk miles after getting off buses stuck in nearly unending tailbacks in major thoroughfares, including Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Mirpur Road, Manik Mia Avenue and Pragati Sarani.

“It was 12:00pm when I got on the bus at Mirpur-14 and it was 2:45pm when I got down at the Suhrawardy hospital near Agargaon. I decided to walk,” said Shahin, who was seen walking with his shoes in hands.

Many bus passengers told our reporters that they had to spend up to six hours to reach their destinations; private car users and bikers had worse experience as they could not leave their vehicles.

“I drove my motorbike through the alleys, which were under knee-deep water, with danger lurking,” said a biker named Sharif, referring to uncovered manholes and potholes.

Amrin, a housewife from Dhanmondi, reached home from her son's school in Bashundhara in five hours. Usually it takes her not more than two hours by her private car.

Farhana Nasrin, manager (customer) of a private mobile phone operator, said, “I was feeling sick because of suffocating heat and odour from wet seats. I wish I could run away from the bus.”

She boarded a bus from Khilkhet Bus Stand around 2:15pm. She reached the Prime Minister's Office around 4:10pm. There the bus remained struck for about an hour.

Due to the torrential rains yesterday, Rajabazar, Kathalbagan, Bhutergoli, Kalabagan, Tallabagh, Sukrabad, Manik Mia Avenue, Tejkunipara, Karwanbazar and Green Road areas went under knee to waist-deep water.