Monsoon submerges Dhaka in misery

Rain is hardly heartening news for Dhaka residents nowadays. Rains mean a water-logging. Memories of last year’s monsoon are still fresh in the memory of the city dwellers. Nothing has changed.

In the fourth week of June, a few hours rain caused floods in several areas of Dhaka. Roads and alleys were inundated with the dirty sewerage water at Chankharpul, Siddheswari, Malibagh, Maghbazar, Tejgaon. It was impossible to cross several roads because the rain had caused dirty water to flood the streets.

Prices of essentials shoot up and small businesses suffer. The city roads become excessively difficult for the physically challenged. It is not uncommon for motorcyclists to fall off their bikes into the dirty water. Passengers have to pay higher fare to commute short distances. An unbearable stench of dirty water pervades all around, compelling people to wear masks over their mouths and noses.

Prothom Alo’s camera caught moments of June’s monsoon distress in Dhaka.

The photo was taken from Kalshi, Mirpur on 25 June by Dipu Malakar
The photo was taken from Kalshi, Mirpur on 25 June by Dipu Malakar

A brief spell of rain is enough to inundate a good number of roads in Dhaka. 

The photo was taken on 25 June by Dipu Malakar
The photo was taken on 25 June by Dipu Malakar

Rainwater causing floods has become a usual scene of Banga Bazar. 

The photo was taken on 25 June by Dipu Malakar
The photo was taken on 25 June by Dipu Malakar

Floodwater makes it difficult for vehicles to run smoothly in Kalshi, Mirpur. 

The photo was taken by Dipu Malakar
The photo was taken by Dipu Malakar

A motor cyclist, seconds before he falls into the floodwater in Kalshi, Mirpur on 25 June. 

The photo was taken on 25 June by Dipu Malakar
The photo was taken on 25 June by Dipu Malakar

People have a hard time crossing a short distance because of the dirty water in Banga Bazar. 

Photo: Dipu Malakar
Photo: Dipu Malakar

A car splashes floodwater as its makes way though Hatirjheel on 23 June. 

Photo: Dipu Malakar
Photo: Dipu Malakar

Drivers wash their vehicles in the floodwater at Hatirjheel, Tejgaon on 23 June. 

A recent picture by Dipu Malakar
A recent picture by Dipu Malakar

An auto-rickshaw driver pushes his vehicle though the water in a road of North Begunbari. 

A recent photo by Dipu Malakar
A recent photo by Dipu Malakar

A beggar crosses a road in Bara Maghbazar, Dhaka, with much difficulty. 

Photo: Dipu Malakar
Photo: Dipu Malakar

Passengers pay the rickshaw-puller Tk 10 to cross the flooded part of the road.  

A recent photo by Dipu Malakar
A recent photo by Dipu Malakar

A physically challenged person makes his way through Chankharpul, Dhaka. 

Photo: Dipu Malakar
Photo: Dipu Malakar

Shopkeepers are in difficulty as rain has flooded the area behind Mouchak market in Dhaka.