Cyclone Remal drowns Dhaka in rain, waterlogged streets

Fierce winds uprooted trees, causing traffic disruptions on roads and damaging several vehicles by falling trees

Cyclone Remal has unleashed torrential rains in Dhaka and widespread waterlogging in many areas of the capital.

The fierce winds associated with the cyclone have uprooted trees, causing substantial traffic disruptions and damage to several vehicles from falling trees.

With the relentless rain and strong winds, both vehicular and pedestrian movement decreased significantly throughout the day.

People ventured outdoors only for urgent matters.

There were fewer buses on the road leading passengers to wait longer than usual for transportation.

Rickshaw pullers, too, were in great demand and charged higher fares.

Mohammadpur resident Kamal Ahmed expressed frustration, saying, "Today, both Uber and Pathao [ride-share services] are charging higher fares. The behaviour of rickshaw pullers indicates they are being opportunistic. They often ignore calls, and if they do respond, they demand excessive fares."

Metro rail services faced disruptions due to adverse weather conditions, causing inconvenience to commuters travelling from Uttara to Motijheel intermittently throughout the day.

The Met Office recorded the highest rainfall of 115 millimetres in Dhaka from 6am to 3pm on Monday.

Water accumulation on various roads in Dhaka began around noon.

Waterlogging was reported in several areas including Dhanmondi 27, Mirpur 10, Shewrapara on Begum Rokeya Sarani, Kazipara, New Market, Rajarbagh Police Lines, Bailey Road, Shantinagar, Jurain, Uttar Khan, and Dokkhin Khan.

Around 5:30pm, the road from Senpara in Mirpur to Shewrapara metro station via Kazipara had knee-deep water on both sides, and in some places, the water levels were even higher.

Some vehicles, including cars and CNG-run auto-rickshaws, broke down due to water entering their engines, further disrupting traffic flow.

Abdul Ahad, a traffic constable in charge of the Shewrapara bus stand area, said, "The water level on the road began to rise after noon. It peaked in the afternoon, causing damage to cars and hindering traffic."

Around 1pm, a tree fell near the RAK building in the Jasim Uddin area of Uttara, damaging a car passing by as a branch fell on it.

Another tree fell on the footpath near Uday Tower on Gulshan-1 Avenue around 4:15pm, trapping a CNG-run auto-rickshaw underneath.

Later in the afternoon, a tree fell onto the road near Rawa Club in Mohakhali, leading to the closure of traffic between Jahangir Gate and Mohakhali Road for an extended period.

Around 4pm, a tree was uprooted on the road outside the Pani Bhaban on Green Road.

Earlier, another tree had fallen near the IBA hostel on the same road, resulting in the closure of traffic for some time.

Trees were also uprooted in many locations including Dhaka University, Minto Road, outside the Chief Justice's residence, near Scholastica School in Mirpur 13, and on Bhasantek Road.

Md Abu Naser, a spokesperson for the Dhaka South City Corporation, told bdnews24.com that they received reports of waterlogging in several areas including Dhanmondi, Hawkers Market, New Market, near Rabindra Sarobar, Crescent Gastroliver and General Hospital lane, Naem Road, Tallabagh, Alauddin Road in Old Dhaka, Kamalapur, and Bailey Road.

He said, "Our 91 teams are actively working in the field to drain out the water. Our pumps are operational, and our hotline is available for reporting waterlogging and fallen trees."

Md Mokbul Hossain, a spokesperson for the Dhaka North City Corporation, told bdnews24.com that 5,300 workers from their waste management department were deployed to address waterlogging and prevent trees from falling. Additionally, ten 'quick response' teams were active.

He said, "Our hotline has received 94 calls since morning, mostly regarding fallen trees. Our staff promptly responded to these reports."

"We have identified 13 areas within DNCC jurisdiction, including Shewrapara, Mirpur-1, near Asia Cinema Hall at Technical intersection, Kalsi, Uttar Khan, and Dokkhin Khan, as hotspots. Our cleaners worked tirelessly in these areas throughout the day."