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The recurrent sight of Dhaka city's clogged drains spilling over with rainwater, transforming Dhaka into a filthy swamp overnight, has become familiar to its residents. The accompanying hardships are substantial. Recently, a tragedy struck when four individuals lost their lives to electrocution in Mirpur during the severe rainstorm on September 21, 2023. Apart from these fatal outcomes, the city undergoes a nightmarish transformation during rainfall, making life unbearable for those attempting to maintain their daily routines.
As Dhaka is crucial to Bangladesh's commercial and administrative capital, its residents find no room for even the briefest delays. No disaster, regardless of magnitude, serves as a valid excuse to halt daily operations; everything must persist. While individuals typically adhere to a predetermined routine during ordinary days, the true essence of people's attitudes emerges during these trying moments.
The harsh conduct of CNG proprietors and drivers during these crises is a recurring issue. For instance, Habibur Rahman, a resident of the Farmgate area, recounted having to pay Tk 800 for a car ride to Kalyanpur during an emergency. Another incident unfolded at the Banani-Kakoli bus stop, where a CNG driver demanded Tk 800 from a woman travelling to Mohammadpur's Shia Masjid vicinity. This opportunistic price escalation, capitalising on people's desperation to return home, often triggers conflicts between passengers and drivers. These conflicts often fuel mutual misunderstandings and disrespect, sometimes escalating into physical altercations.
Despite imposing outrageous fares, the drivers express dissatisfaction even with their unfair earnings. Muntasir Bin Fakhrul, journeying from Uttara to Banani on the eve of October 6, relayed a conversation with his driver, who claimed, "We barely get any riders in the middle of this rain. And when we have to raise the rate due to the rain, we even lose riders we thought we would get."
Muntasir refuted this assertion, remarking, "People literally become restless for a single vehicle to reach home by the roads during the rain. It is impossible that they (CNG drivers) find no riders to pick. In fact, it is their inconsiderate claims from the passengers that are responsible for their loss."
Amidst heavy rainfall, public transportation becomes a scarce commodity. The streets become clogged with traffic, resulting in substantial delays in bus schedules. To make matters worse, buses become overcrowded, leaving passengers with minimal breathing room and no space for additional riders to stand. The ruthless pricing also renders private cars and CNGs impractical modes of transport. Consequently, many individuals, mostly men, are observed frantically navigating the rain-drenched streets, relinquishing hope of securing any form of transportation.
This dire situation leaves working women stranded and isolated, hoping for the ceaseless rain to subside or for a considerate driver to provide them with a safe journey home. Shayla Antora, a journalist at a local news daily, works the night shift and returns home around 11 daily. But last Thursday, when it rained ceaselessly, she had a nightmarish experience.
"I knew I'd be late. So I took the first CNG I found for an extra charge, fearing a lack of transportation later. And it took more than 4 hours inside that CNG before finally reaching home past 2 a.m. As there were no traffic officials or police seen in the road, safety concerns were also there; however, I had to stay calm."
"I was horrified watching some woman slowly walking towards their destination in the drizzling rain. As shops were closed, roads were getting increasingly desolated, I wondered who'd save them if any unexpected incident occured?" she further added.
Observations indicate a concerning trend of duty officers at various traffic posts and checkpoints neglecting their responsibilities during rainy conditions. The absence of traffic management at critical locations, such as the Mohakhali Flyover underpass, has resulted in substantial traffic congestion, with delays lasting up to 40 minutes. Similar scenarios unfold across multiple areas in the city, including Bijoy Sarani, the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, Azampur, the House Building intersection in Uttara, DIT Road in Rampura, and the Asad Gate vicinity near Dhanmondi, to name a few. These situations intensify the stress experienced by city dwellers who are already struggling to find transportation or a route back home. The prevailing tense conditions only further frustrate the city's residents.
Petty crimes become increasingly prevalent during the confluence of rainfall and darkness. The rain and the negligence of duty staff create an ideal environment for delinquents to engage in illicit activities like pickpocketing, snatching, and unprovoked assaults. Regrettably, unfortunate pedestrians are compelled to relinquish their belongings, unable to contend with these seasoned criminals. The apathy of law enforcement in such situations has been substantiated through firsthand accounts, as testified by Nubair Ahmed, a school student enrolled in DRMC.
Nubair shared his encounter with a snatcher at the Shankar Bus stop in Dhanmondi on the evening of October 6, 2023, stating, "While I struggled to hold on to my bag, and his (the snatcher's) partner was slapping me, not a single man stepped forward. And not one police officer was to be seen anywhere, and I had no choice but to run into a shop by the road to avoid such interactions any further."
A primary worry for pedestrians is the diminished visibility experienced during late hours. Dhaka remains unfazed even in the face of heavy rainfall. Consequently, it is no surprise that numerous housing communities experience blackouts during rainstorms. The lack of a structured drainage system and inadequate maintenance compound the predicament. Wastewater accumulates, inundating the streets and obstructing pedestrian movement. This poses substantial hindrances to mobility and exposes individuals to hygiene concerns, resulting in discomfort and risk of diseases while traversing these routes.
The recent incident in Mirpur on the evening of September 21, where nine individuals suffered harm, including four fatalities, has instilled fear among the people. Consequently, people have grown increasingly wary of their surroundings and experience constant anxiety when navigating the city during rainfall, particularly in the evening.
In light of these recent events, the response from the local administration is inadequate or lacking. The authorities face criticism from residents and the media regarding the measures taken in response to the consequences of unplanned urban structures. Unsurprisingly, despite the hardships endured, the citizens of this challenging environment persist in their determination to overcome adversity. They have no alternative but to accept their circumstances and continue striving in the face of adversity, embracing the life they are destined to lead in this city of death.