‘Waterlogging’ or ‘Water-clogging’? minister denies Ctg city was submerged

Outdated photos from 2024 were being circulated as part of a "propaganda campaign", Shahe Alam says

Local Government State Minister Shahe Alam has dismissed reports of widespread "waterlogging" in Chattogram city following recent heavy rains, describing the situation instead as "temporary water-clogging" in five specific locations.

In a statement delivered in parliament on Thursday, Shahe Alam labelled some of the reports and footage of the submerged port city as "baseless, fabricated, and imaginary", alleging that outdated photos from 2024 were being circulated as part of a "propaganda campaign".

The issue gained momentum on Wednesday when Sayeed Al Noman, the ruling party MP for Chattogram-10, drew the prime minister’s attention to the city's plight during a question-and-answer session.

In response, the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed his "regrets" to the residents and assured them of a swift solution.

Shahe Alam, who visited the city on Wednesday, claimed that residents were "delighted and happy" with the premier’s gesture.

"According to the city dwellers, the waterlogging situation has improved significantly compared with one or two years ago," the minister claimed.

Providing a technical update on the city’s drainage, Shahe Alam noted that of Chattogram’s 57 canals, development work is ongoing in 36 under a Tk 120 billion project implemented by the Army.

Work on 30 canals has been completed, while six are in progress, he said.