A pedestrian went missing on Wednesday after he fell into an overflowing drain as heavy rains drenched the port city sending many areas under water and causing huge public sufferings.
The missing man was identified as Md Salmat (36) . The incident happened in Muradpur area of the port city at 11:30 am.
A fire service team rushed to the spot, but failed to locate the missing person until in the evening.
Biplob Kumar Nath, leader of the city’s Agrabad fire station confirmed the incident with UNB.
“A five-member diving team of the fire service is working to rescue the missing person. We will keep trying,” he said.
Earlier on the day, UNB reported how incessant rains since Tuesday night sent low-lying areas of Chattogram city under water, causing indescribable sufferings to its residents.
Waterlogging continues to haunt the residents of the port city as its authorities have so far failed to resolve the protracted problem.
People living in Halishahar, Bakolia, Agrabad CDA, Bahaddarhat, Sholoshohor, No 2 Gate, Muradpur, Prabartak and Chawkbazar areas are experiencing the unusual waterlogging following the heavy rainfalls.
Some people were seen wading through knee-deep water to reach their destinations in the morning. At some places, the officer-goers had to pay extra fares to reach their workplaces, reports the UNB correspondent after visiting different affected areas.
According to the local Met office, the active monsoon triggered the rains and that may continue for another two days.
“The rains may continue for two more days. The Met office recorded 28 mm rainfall till 9 am today, and this is happening due to active monsoon,” said Sheikh Farid Ahmed, meteorologist of Patenga Met office.
Heavy rains lead to horrific waterlogging in parts of Chattogram
Idris Ali, a resident of Sholoshohor area, said: “Just one hour of rain is enough to drown the city, and that’s because of the authorities’ negligence. I’ve been waiting here for an hour but no vehicle is available to catch.”
Female office-goers are the worst sufferers as they have to wade through knee-deep water to go to their workplaces.
At some places, CNG-run auto-rickshaws went out of order as rainwater entered their hosepipes, forcing the drivers to manually push them ahead.
Nasima Akhter, a garment worker, said: “I’ve got stuck here in No-2 Gate area as all the roads have gone under water. More worrying is that the rickshaw-pullers were demanding excess fares taking advantage of the situation.”
Source: United News of Bangladesh