Floodwaters receding gradually, but highway gridlock worsens

The flood situation in 11 districts, affecting 52 lakh people, is gradually improving as water levels in several rivers start to recede.

Despite this, traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway has worsened, with nearly 3,500 trucks and covered vans still stranded.

The situation has severely impacted container delivery at Chattogram Port, reducing it to one-third of normal levels.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) reported that water levels at five stations on three rivers are slowly receding although they remained above the danger level as of yesterday. The Gumti River was 66cm above the danger level, while the Kushiara River at Amalshid station was 13cm above.

FFWC Executive Engineer Sarder Udoy Raihan said, "There is a possibility of an increase in the water level of the Karnaphuli River in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Chattogram in the next 24 hours.

"However, it may not be enough to cause floods. The river water is decreasing, but it is decreasing slowly in Cumilla and Feni. It may take 2 to 3 days for the water level to fall below the danger level."

Meteorologist Dr Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik said, "Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in many parts of Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions, though the amount will decrease after one day."

He explained that the persistent flooding is due to heavy rainfall in Tripura and Meghalaya, India, but with the rain now decreasing in those areas, significant water level increases are unlikely.

However, rain may continue in flood-prone areas for the next two days, Mallik added.

Traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway has worsened, with nearly 3,500 trucks and covered vans still stranded. Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin

Traffic congestion on Dhaka-Ctg highway worsens

Although floodwaters on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway have somewhat receded, traffic congestion of goods-carrying vehicles has intensified.

Vehicles leaving Dhaka and Chattogram have been stranded on the road in the Mirsharai area of Feni for three to four days, with congestion extending up to the Sonapahara area in Mirsarai upazila by yesterday evening.

Goods transport owners report that gas-powered trucks and covered vans have been damaged due to flooding and potholes on the road, further worsening the traffic situation.

Mohammad Yasin, a covered van driver who left Chattogram port with goods for Dhaka on August 22, said, "Traffic is not normal on the road in any way. As there are no hotels open on the road, I am also not getting food. I am somehow spending my days with the relief provided by volunteers."

Amir Hossain, another covered van driver stuck in the Chattogram-bound lane in the Silonia area of Feni Sadar upazila, echoed similar concerns, stating, "I left for Chattogram from Dhaka two days ago. I do not know when I can move. Due to the water on the road, I cannot move forward."

Jafar Ahmed Chowdhury, general secretary of the Bangladesh Covered Van Truck Prime Mover Goods Transport Owners Association, noted that most gas-powered trucks have been damaged due to flooding.

He said, "Vehicles cannot move due to waterlogging and potholes. Nearly 3,500 covered vans are stranded on the road. The police administration has assured us that the situation will improve somewhat after today."

However, a field visit from Chattogram to Mahipaul in Feni revealed no visible presence of the police to control traffic. Instead, volunteers managed the traffic while hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on the highway as relief distribution continued.

Although the water has receded from the Nizkonjura area of Chagalnaiya upazila to the side of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, water still flows on the eastern lane from Silonia to Mahipaul in Feni, hindering movement.