Frustration reigns as WASA line damage leaves large swathes of Chattogram without water

The crisis is likely to plague residents for two more days as authorities scramble to repair the damaged pipeline in Sagarika

An acute water shortage has hit a large part of Chattogram city after a WASA pipeline was damaged in the Sagarika area during the installation of underground power cables. Many areas have been left without water for two days as a result.

The water supply has been completely cut off in Agrabad, Halishahar, CDA, Dewanhat, and Kadamtali areas, affecting thousands of residents.

According to WASA officials, repairing the damaged pipeline may take another two days, meaning the water crisis could continue until Wednesday.

The disruption has caused untold hardship for residents, particularly in areas like Halishahar, CDA, Dewanhat and Kadamtali, where many homes lack alternative water sources like deep tube wells. Those relying solely on WASA’s supply are suffering the most.

According to officials, the damage occurred during work on the "Expansion and Strengthening of Chattogram’s Power Transmission System" project, implemented by Power Grid Bangladesh PLC.

"On Saturday night, while Power Grid Bangladesh was installing underground cables in the Sagarika area, our 44-inch diameter pipeline was damaged," said WASA's Superintendent Engineer Md Nurul Amin.

"As a result, we are unable to transfer water to the Halishahar tank, which supplies multiple areas, leading to a complete halt in water supply to Halishahar, Agrabad, CDA, Dewanhat, and surrounding areas."

In a public notice, WASA informed residents that the disruption will affect water supply to the Halishahar Elevated Tank, Agrabad commercial area, CDA residential area, West Madarbari, Halishahar, Boropol, Chhotopol, Beparipara, Gosaildanga, Panwalapara, Postarpar, Dhaniwala Para, Kadamtali, Hajipara, Shantibag, Muhuripara, Pahartali, Eidgah, Dewanhat, and nearby neighbourhoods.

Caught off guard by the sudden outage, many residents voiced their frustration.

"I woke up for Sehri on Sunday and found there was no water. No one in the area knew why. Somehow, we managed to complete Sehri and Fajr prayers, but even today, there is still no water. How can we go without water during Ramadan? The heat is rising, too. Those with deep tube wells are managing, but those solely dependent on WASA are suffering the most," Mamun Hossain, a resident of Halishahar, said.

Sakhawat Hossain from Gosaildanga urged WASA to repair the pipeline as soon as possible and restore the water supply.

WASA teams have been working overnight to resolve issue, according to Nurul Amin.

"Since the pipeline is underground, we first need to expose the damage before we can carry out repairs. We are trying to complete the work as quickly as possible."

"It may take two more days to fully complete the repairs. That means water supply may not resume before Wednesday. Power Grid Bangladesh’s contractors are assisting us with the repair work."

This is not the first time Chattogram has faced a major water supply crisis.

On Feb 17, during the construction of a culvert under the Waterlogging Prevention Project, a 48-inch WASA pipeline was damaged near Oxygen-Kuwaish Road, adjacent to Anannya Residential Area.

As a result, water supply to nearly one-third of the city was disrupted.

It took five days to partially restore the supply, while some areas had to wait a full week for normal service.

With repeated disruptions in the city’s water supply, residents have called for better coordination between WASA and other development agencies to prevent such incidents in the future.