By BM Nur Alam

DHAKA, June 30, 2026 (BSS) - The government has instructed the relevant authorities to recover encroached canals, construct planned drainage systems, and remove plastic waste from drains and box culverts to address chronic waterlogging in the capital. 

It has also adopted short, medium, and long-term plans to mitigate the chronic problem.

As part of the efforts, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has planned to construct two new drainage outlets to accelerate stormwater discharge. The proposal has already been submitted to the ministry.

DSCC administrator Md. Abdus Salam told BSS that comprehensive short, medium, and long term plans had been adopted to address waterlogging.

"During heavy rains, rainwater will be removed from waterlogged areas using portable pumps, while the existing pump stations will also be used to drain accumulated water," he said.

He added that work on a permanent solution is underway and that efforts are being made to quickly channel rainwater from the city into the surrounding rivers. "We hope the problem will be resolved soon," he added.

Meanwhile, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan said that work is continuing to remove floating waste and silt from canals. 

He added that DNCC has plans to free 29 canals under its jurisdiction from encroachment and continues to improve the city's drainage system. 

More than 350 staff members are currently working to ensure rapid drainage of rainwater from identified flood-prone hotspots.

According to DSCC officials, the corporation currently has three drainage outlets located at Kamalapur TT Para, Dholai Khal, and Hatirjheel. 

These outlets serve an area of 109.24 square kilometres, which is considered insufficient for current needs. 

The proposed two additional outlets are intended to significantly improve drainage capacity.

In addition, under the Metro Dhaka Resilience Project, financed by the World Bank, a new major drainage outlet (large storm sewer) is planned between Gulistan and Sadarghat. 

DSCC also said work is ongoing to build an outlet using a box culvert and an 8-foot-diameter drain to discharge water from Shyampur Canal into the Buriganga River.

DSCC further stated that canal cleaning and re-excavation are underway to eliminate waterlogging at around 33 identified hotspots, including New Market, Naim Road, Green Road, Shantinagar, Mugda Medical College area, Madrasa Education Board area, Majed Sardar Road, and West Malibagh. 

The initiative also aims to maintain uninterrupted water flow in 22 canals.

The corporation has launched projects to clean four box culverts and carry out ward-based drain cleaning. 

It has also installed six portable pumps to remove rainwater quickly during downpours.

Under the government-funded "Canal Recovery, Rehabilitation and Beautification Project," sustainable development work, including excavation of four major canals in Kalunagar, Shyampur, Jirani, and Manda, is in progress.

However, DSCC noted that water flow is often obstructed because water supply lines, electricity cables, gas pipelines, internet cables, and telephone lines have been installed inside drainage corridors.

Professor Dr. A.K.M. Saiful Islam of the Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) said the primary cause of Dhaka's waterlogging is unplanned urbanization.

He noted that many canals have been filled in for construction, proper drainage systems were never developed, and drains have become clogged with plastic and polythene waste.

According to him, rainwater cannot leave the city quickly. To solve the problem, the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, and Shitalakshya rivers surrounding Dhaka should be dredged, drains cleaned before the monsoon, waste removed regularly, pump stations operated on time, and the city corporations should play a stronger and more coordinated role.

DNCC also said that under its canal restoration and beautification project, new outlets and drainage infrastructure are being built to improve the discharge of canal water into the Buriganga River.

The corporation added that it is expanding open and green spaces, increasing the capacity of existing pumping stations, constructing new pump stations, raising public awareness against dumping waste into canals and drains, and enforcing relevant laws.

Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) at Stamford University Bangladesh, said that solving Dhaka's waterlogging requires recovering encroached canals, constructing planned drainage systems, and removing sediment and waste from drains and box culverts. 

He stressed that both city corporations must treat the issue as a top priority.

Md. Alamgir Kabir, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said unplanned urbanization, canal encroachment, and blocked drains caused by plastic and solid waste prevent rainwater from reaching the surrounding rivers, leading to severe waterlogging after rainfall.

He said both city corporations must play a stronger role by reclaiming canals, improving the drainage network, and ensuring that box culverts remain functional.

Major waterlogging hotspots across Dhaka include Dhanmondi 27, Green Road, New Market, Dhanmondi Hawkers Market, Eskaton Garden Road, Palashi, West Malibagh, Khilgaon Flyover to Malibagh Community Centre, Maniknagar TT Para, Mugda Medical area, Gopibagh, Kamalapur Railway Station, Shapla Chattar, Notre Dame College, Chanmari, Shantibagh, Paltan, Daily Bangla, Fakirapul, BUET Quarter, Agasadek Road, Majed Sardar Road, Jurain, Sayedabad, Zia Sarani, Mirpur, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Mohammadpur, Agargaon, Kawran Bazar, and Farmgate.