Published : 10 Apr 2026, 06:19 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:34 PM
A day of intermittent rain, triggered by a nor'wester, has caused waterlogging in parts of the port city, leading to a partial road collapse near the Hijra Canal.
While the rainfall was light, recorded at roughly 2mm by the Patenga and Ambagan weather offices, it was enough to inundate several low-lying streets and disrupt the commute for office-goers and students on Thursday.
A portion of the road adjacent to a bridge over the Hijra Canal at Prabartak intersection caved in in the afternoon.
Large cracks appeared as the soil underneath shifted, forcing authorities to cordon off the area with tape to prevent accidents.
The canal is currently part of the Chattogram Development Authority’s (CDA) mega-project aimed at mitigating waterlogging in the city.
Although the bridge was completed years ago, work on the canal’s retaining walls and excavation is ongoing.
"We have not yet determined the exact cause of the road subsidence," said Ahmed Mainuddin, CDA Executive Engineer and Project Director.
"For now, we have filled the area with sandbags. We will undertake full repairs once the cause is identified."
The morning drizzle caught many by surprise, leading to temporary waterlogging in localities such as Katalganj, Rahmatganj, and the Prabartak intersection.
By late afternoon, water remained stagnant near the Badna Shah Mazar, forcing commuters to wade through knee-deep water.
Patients and relatives visiting nearby private hospitals and clinics faced significant hardship.
Residents noted that because the Hijra and Jamalkhan canals are under renovation, water frequently overflows onto adjacent roads during high tide or rainfall.
The weather office described the rain as a typical seasonal occurrence.
"April is the season for nor’wester, so sudden gusts of wind and rain are expected," said Md Ismail Bhuiyan, a forecaster stationed at the Patenga weather office.
He added that the skies are expected to clear on Friday, though rain may return after a few days.
