In Barishal, the rains of the last few days have caused water logging in the low-lying areas of the city. Residents of low-lying areas of the city are suffering due to water logging.

The raging super cyclone and tidal wave of November 12, 1970 receded the next day. Subsequent floods, heavy rains did not cause lasting public suffering. Then why such extreme suffering now?

According to Kazi Mizanur Rahman, convener of Barishal's General Citizens' Society (Basanas), first comes the unplanned urbanization of the current 58 square kilometer Barisal city. When Barishal district was elevated to a division in 1992, the administrative and economic activities of Barishal city began to increase.

Then it gained momentum after being promoted to City Corporation. Barishal is now attractive to rich people due to Padma bridge, Payra deep sea port and Kuakata tourist center in recent times. Lowlands, agricultural land, ponds and drains, and natural reservoirs have been filled up due to construction of building infrastructure in an unplanned manner.

Apart from this, the disintegration of joint families and the complicity of land grabbers violence and the lack of monitoring by the concerned authorities are still continuing unchecked.

Basanas convenor Kazi Mizanur Rahman also said, secondly, the building is not being constructed in accordance with the building code. It is mandatory to keep the space around the building open, at least 25 percent of it. That is, the open space cannot be covered with concrete. Through that (open) space, rain water enters underground and maintains the natural balance. The number of buildings that have been constructed according to the norms is negligible. Besides, there is no provision of rain water storage in the constructed building. If there is a rainwater storage system on the roof and under the building, the water logging will be much under control.

At the same time pressure on ground water usage will reduce. According to a study, rainwater runoff can be controlled by 60% if the yard adjacent to the building is kept empty. Citizens have to build houses based on approved plans. City Corporation and Urban Development Authority (Proposed)are to carry supervision to ensure no deviation.

It has been found that the drainage system of Barishal city is very fragile. There is no use of it. Many people think that these drains have been made in a very unscientific manner and unplanned.

In some cases the primary drain is not connected to the master drain. There are some but the water is not being drained due to the difference in the height of the bottom. Building a three-storey market at Battala by filling up the canal on Navagram Road is also suicidal for the city.

That is why tidal water and rains are the first to cause flooding here. The normal flow of water is being obstructed due to the construction of culverts by breaking the bridge over the canal. The rule of keeping a gap under the drain without welding is sometimes neglected.

If there is no concrete layer, the water seeps into the soil and helps to keep the water table normal. Moreover, there are widespread complaints of not regularly maintaining and cleaning drains and canals.

Kazi Mizanur Rahman said that once 23 canals and 24 connecting canals used to flow in the city. Now most of the canals do not exist. In some cases small drains have been made. The said 22/23 canals have become non-existent due to encroachment, pollution and unkind behavior of citizens. Only 3/4 of the canals have any tidal flow.

These canals are unusable due to accumulation of non-perishable waste especially plastic and polythene on and below the canals and encroachment of residents on both banks obstructing water flow and sewage connections. Due to which the canals are not able to play any role in draining rain water.

At one time there was a strong current in Jail Canal, Navgram Canal, Sagardi Canal in the middle of the city. The water flowed down the canals. Big boats used to carry goods, jewelry and passengers. Many used to make a living by fishing in canals which has now become history.

According to sources, the city once had more than three thousand ponds. Now there are only a handful of ponds. It is sometimes filled secretly in the dark of night.

Recently one of the kiln ponds has been partly filled by sanding the night reservoir. At night, while bringing trucks full of sand and soil to fill the pond of a school in the city, some influential people clashed with the local residents.

In the meantime, there is hope that the city's Jhautalar pond has been saved from filling under the law due to the efforts of the conscious civil society. As a result of the filling of government and non-government ponds, reservoirs, rainwater is overflowing and submerging houses, businesses, and roads. The issue is very dangerous for public life and the environment.

If this process continues ignoring the conventional law of filling ponds, reservoirs, soon the residents of Barishal will face the harsh reality. In the future, everyone should also keep an eye on the construction of drains by filling canals. It is necessary to break the culverts on the canal and build the pool. There is no relief from flooding without carrying out development activities in accordance with all existing laws.

According to Basanas convenor Kazi Mizanur Rahman, a person fills the pond for the needs of his life. He has to build a residence, do business and trade. So it is difficult to deter him.

On the other hand, the state must protect water bodies. If necessary, these can be preserved through acquisitions funded by the Climate Trust. He also said that as a result of global warming due to climate change, Greenland in the polar region, Arctic, Antarctic and Himalayan glaciers are permanently rising sea levels.

Due to its continuity, the water level of the river increases due to the effect of high tide, flooding the two pools. Sometimes due to the high water level of the river and the unsanitary, inadequate drains, the rainwater in the city cannot flow through the canals and go down into the river.

The city continues to be flooded until the water level of the river recedes. Although the river water is decreasing, the water in the city is not decreasing at the same rate. People are not happy with the river management.

By dredging, the sand is being thrown into the river. People's money is flowing in the river. Polythene, plastic and silt accumulation in riverbeds is also one of the causes of urban flooding. As the depth of the river has decreased, the water holding capacity has decreased.

It has been found that the project titled 'Preparation of Development Plan for Barishal Divisional Town' was taken up by the Department of Urban Development. This grand plan was also published in gazette form. The duration of the project is 2010-2030. But the progress of this plan has completely stopped. It should be given immediate effect.

A detailed area plan including canals free of encroachment, conservation and recreational facilities has been prepared in that project. It has been said to implement a drainage plan and simultaneously primary-secondary and tertiary drainage system to solve the water logging of the city. In order not to submerge the city due to heavy rains, emphasis has been placed on the conservation of 3,000 reservoirs. The plan also talks about conservation of city ponds.

It will not be possible to control excavations and constructions everywhere unless the master plan is approved quickly, urban development authority is formed; WASA and gas distribution authority is not formed. Besides, there is no alternative to recover all canals occupied by the city, install permanent boundary pillars and standard re-excavation.

Barishal City Corporation had sent a project proposal of about Taka 2500/- for canal re-excavation and conservation, greening, construction of walkways but it was not approved. However, the responsibility for failure in any consideration lies with the City Corporation.

High tide water by installing boat passes (digital control system)/gates at the entrances of river canals flowing around the city under the 'Flood Control Master Plan' to reduce the inundation of low-lying areas, roads, low-lying houses in the city due to heavy rains, floods and high tides. Controlling and draining of urban rainwater through pump houses can improve the situation.

In fact, heavy rains, floods, droughts, and cyclones are ominous for the entire coastal area of Bangladesh. It is a symptom of climate and environmental degradation and a global problem. In the next 50 years, 30% of our southern region is in danger of being submerged in water.

So we have to be aware and deal with the situation from now on. And for this, all the responsible authorities and stakeholders should be taken to ensure the way out of this situation. Basanas convener Kazi Mizanur Rahman stressed on all citizens to play a responsible and vocal role regardless of party affiliation.

Deputy Assistant Engineer of Water Development Board Md Masum explaining the flooding situation of the city said that the residents of Barishal once again saw flooding like during Cyclone Sitrang on August 24 last year. But during Sitrang the water of Kirtankhola river flowed above the maximum 35 cm of danger level during high tide.

And the rainfall during the same period (from 9 am on 24 August to 9 am on 25 August) was 241 mm. But this year, on August 7, the water of the Kirtankhola river flowed 28 cm below the high tide level and the rainfall was 177 mm from 9 am on 7 August to 9 am on 8 August. The water level of the rivers is below the tidal limit, the amount of rainfall is less than that. Even then the people of Barishal were not spared from the flooding.

He also said that due to the decrease in navigability of the rivers, the water capacity is naturally decreasing day by day. On the other hand, the small rivers or canals within the city area have not been excavated till now due to various complications. As well as other ways of 'reservoirs' where DAP has recommended Dhaka city to ensure conservation and efficient use of reservoirs. In that way, if necessary, privately owned land should be acquired and reservoirs should be created.