Ctg traders count huge losses as warehouses submerged

Low-lying areas of Chittagong city went under water due to incessant rain and high tide on Sunday. 
The rainfall started Sunday morning and was continuing till afternoon, submerging many areas of the port city from knee-deep to waist-deep waters, causing immense sufferings to the dwellers. 
City life was disrupted throughout the day as many streets, business establishments and residences went under water. 
One of the largest business hubs in the country, Khatunganj-Chaktai-Asadganj-Korbaniganj-Rajakhali was severely affected by the rain and tidal waters. 
Around 6,000 business establishments in the area were submerged and essential commodities inside the warehouses were damaged, claimed traders, adding that the losses due to the inundation could be more than Tk 100 crore. 
Patenga meteorological office in Chittagong recorded 87 millimetres of rainfall in 24 hours till 12:00pm on Sunday, said an official. He said that the day’s first high tide began from 6:52pm and lasted for several hours. 
Officials said that tidal waters from River Karnaphuli started to intrude into Khatunganj and nearby areas overflowing Chaktai canal and some other small canals connected to the river from around 10:00am. The waters started receding around 2:00pm as low tide started. 
Syed Sagir Ahmed, general secretary of Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, told New Age that all the 6,000 business establishments in the area were under knee to waist-deep water. 
‘We did not see such in
undation in the area in several years. It is causing the biggest damages since the cyclone in 1991,’ said Sagir. 
He said that essential commodities like rice, sugar, onion, wheat, lentil and dry fishes were stored in the warehouses and were damaged. 
‘We are now facing huge losses which could be more than Tk 100 crore,’ said Sagir. 
‘We have been calling for installation of sluice gates in all the canals, including Chaktai canal, for a long time. But, the government authorities have not fulfilled our demand. As a result, every year tidal waters enter into the area and damage huge amount of goods,’ said Sagir. 
Beside the business hub, Bakalia, Agrabad, Halishahar, Gosaildanga areas in the city were also inundated due to heavy rainfall and tidal waters.
Vehicular movements were disrupted as many city streets, including Agrabad Excess Road, Port Connecting Road and Seikh Mujib Road went under water. 
Commuters got stuck in different areas for the shortage of public transport. Severe traffic congestion was witnessed at Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, Gate No-2, GEC Intersection, WASA Circle, and Agrabad areas. 

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net