Rangpur, Sept 27 – 433mm of rainfall recorded from 10 pm on Saturday to 10 am Sunday that inundated most areas of Rangpur district including the city, is the worst in 100 years.
The rain triggered flash floods that marooned 50,000 people. Streets, lanes and by-lanes and dwelling houses are submerged under knee to waist-deep water.
The Met office in Rangpur recorded the rainfall during the period which broke all the records of the last 100 years in the district.
The rainfall is likely to continue for the next two days, said assistant meteorologist Mostafizur Rahman of the Met Office.
Besides, the Shayma Sundori and Cadi canal, the only recourse to alleviate the city’s waterlogging, has gone under water, according to Bangladesh Water Development Board and Fire Service and Civil Defense sources.
The city’s drainage system has also collapsed. City dwellers say they have not seen such rainfall in 25-30 years. Even, the massive flood in 1988 did not cause such water logging in Rangpur City.
The city dwellers are suffering as water has seeped into their houses due to incessant rains since last night.
Electricity connections have been cut off in different places. People, who are going out in case of emergency, are not getting transport. They are paying extra charges to reach their destinations.
Water is flowing above the danger line at Dahlia and Kaunia points in the Teesta.
Heavy rains and lightning have caused extensive damage in various parts of the district.
Agricultural lands, crops and ponds have been submerged in water.
Fire service has been working in different areas of the city since morning to rescue stranded people. – UNB
