Dhaka’s Waterlogging Crisis: Not a Curse of Nature, but the Consequence of Decades of Poor Urban Planning
Special Report | Dhaka Every year during the monsoon season, the capital city Dhaka turns into a dysfunctional urban center. Within just a few hours of heavy rainfall, major roads, narrow streets, residential neighborhoods, and commercial areas become submerged. The suffering of ordinary citizens, severe traffic congestion, economic losses, and disruption of daily life have become a recurring reality. A recent analytical discussion highlighted the root causes of Dhaka ’ s waterlogging crisis, administrative failures, and possible solutions by examining successful global models. According to the analysis, Dhaka ’ s waterlogging is not a natural disaster; rather, it is the outcome of decades of mismanagement, unplanned urban expansion, and lack of effective governance. Lost Canals, Shrinking Water Bodies Once known as a city of rivers and canals, Dhaka depended heavily on its natural drainage system. The city historically had around 65 canals, which played a crucial rol...
