The government has directed relevant authorities to reclaim occupied canals, construct planned drainage systems, and remove polythene and waste from drains and box culverts to mitigate the capital's waterlogging crisis. Simultaneously, short-, medium-, and long-term plans have been initiated.
To ensure rapid drainage of rainwater, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) plans to construct two new outlets. A proposal regarding this has already been sent to the ministry.
DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam stated that comprehensive plans have been adopted to address the issue. During heavy downpours, portable pumps and existing pump stations will be utilized to swiftly remove water from waterlogging-prone areas.
"Work is underway for a permanent solution to DSCC’s waterlogging problem. Arrangements are being made to quickly drain accumulated rainwater into surrounding rivers. We hope to see this problem resolved soon," he added.
Meanwhile, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md. Shofiqul Islam Khan noted that the removal of floating waste and sludge from canals is ongoing.
DNCC plans to reclaim 29 canals under its jurisdiction to alleviate waterlogging, alongside upgrading the drainage network. More than 350 personnel are currently deployed at hotspots to ensure swift rainwater recession.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Projects
According to DSCC officials, there are currently three outlets operating in Kamalapur TT Para, Dholaikhal, and Hatirjheel. These outlets drain an area of 109.24 square kilometers, which is inadequate for the city's needs, prompting the plan for two new outlets.
Additionally, under the World Bank-funded 'Metro Dhaka Resilience Project,' there is a plan to construct a major new drainage outlet from Gulistan to Sadarghat. DSCC also shared that work is underway to build box culverts and an 8-foot diameter mega-drain under a canal project to divert Shampur Canal's water into the Buriganga River.
DSCC further reported that drainage development and canal cleaning/re-excavation are active across 33 waterlogging-prone areas—including New Market, Naim Road, Green Road, Shantinagar, Mugda Medical, Madrasah Education Board, Majed Sardar Road, and West Malibagh—to restore the natural flow of 22 canals. Initiatives have also been taken to clean four box culverts and ward-level drains, supplemented by six portable pumps for rapid water removal.
Under the government-funded project titled "Canal Recovery, Renovation, and Aesthetic Environment Creation," sustainable development activities, including the excavation of four major canals, are underway in Kalunagar, Shampur, Zirani, and Manda.
However, DSCC highlighted that water, electricity, gas, internet, and telephone lines running inside the drainage networks frequently obstruct the water flow.
Experts Blame Unplanned Urbanization
Dr. A.K.M. Saiful Islam, Professor at the Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), identified unplanned urbanization as the root cause of Dhaka's waterlogging. He noted that rainwater cannot recede quickly due to structures built over filled canals, poorly planned drainage systems, and drains choked with polythene and plastic waste.
He emphasized that dredging the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, and Shitalakshya rivers, cleaning drains before the monsoon, proper waste dumping, operating pumps on time, and ensuring a coordinated, effective role by the city corporations are vital to solving the crisis.
DNCC stated that under its canal restoration and aesthetic project, outlets and drains are being built to divert canal water to the nearby Buriganga River. Efforts also include expanding open and green spaces, increasing pump station capacity, setting up new pump stations, raising public awareness, and enforcing laws to prevent waste dumping in canals and drains.
Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) and Dean of the Faculty of Science at Stamford University, urged both city corporations to prioritize reclaiming grabbed canals, building planned drains, and clearing silt and waste from box culverts.
Md. Alamgir Kabir, General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), echoed these concerns, stating that minor rainfall now triggers severe waterlogging because rainwater cannot reach surrounding rivers due to canal encroachment and blocked drains. He called on both city corporations to play a more robust role in freeing canals and restoring box culverts.
Major Waterlogging Hotspots
The primary waterlogging hotspots identified across Dhaka include:
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