Dhaka Water-logging:

Causes, Effects and Remedial Policy Options

Hossain Ahmed Taufiq1

Conference paper

1
Lecturer (on study leave), Dept. of Global Studies & Governance, Independent University Bangladesh (IUB). Email:
[email protected]. Paper presented on ‘The new megacity: for whom?’ seminar sponsored and organized by
Wageningen University, Netherlands. Location: Dept. of Global Studies and Governance, Independent University,
Bangladesh– 18 November 2019.

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1. Introduction:
Dhaka city reeling from extensive water logging during the monsoon (May to October) is now a
common scene. Fast, unrestrained and unplanned urbanization have produced water-logging, in
turn creating adverse social, economic, physical and environmental impacts on life and living in
Dhaka. Traffic disruption, disturbance in normal life, damage of structures and infrastructure,
destruction of vegetation and adequate habitats, loss of income potentials are the prime effects of
water-logging. Water-logging is also responsible for various forms of waterborne and vector-borne
diseases, and the health cost from water-logging is substantial. Recently, a lethal Dengue outbreak
battered Dhaka city dwellers (which occurs in urban and suburban locations with higher
transmission rates taking place during the rainy season).
This study provides a brief contextual analysis of the Dhaka’s geomorphology and natural, as well
as storm water drainage systems, before concentrating on the man-made causes and effects of
water-logging, ultimately exploring a few remedial measures. The data and information of the
contextual brief are mostly secondary. While, the rainfall data was collected from the Bangladesh
Meteorological Department (BMD), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Dhaka South City
Corporation (DSCC and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha: Capital Development Authority
(RAJUK) provided the maps and drainage data. In addition to the secondary data, some
information was collected through personal interviews and focus group discussions.

2. Contextual Brief:
Rivers, waterbodies, and channels tailored the spatial development and livability of the sprawling
Dhaka metropolis. Originating from the point of flood free terrace along the river Bouriganga in
south, this city’s spatial development stretches towards the pre-ostacian Modhupur terrace in the
north (Mowla, 2010). The central part of the Dhaka city is developed on the high land with an
elevation of 6 to 8 m above mean sea level, and the fringe areas are, located in the flood plains of
the Buriganga and Balu rivers with levels of 2 to 6 m above mean sea level (Tawhid, 2004). The
fringe areas are constantly flooded. Numerous water channels pass through this terrace, serving as
the primary sources of communication. The topographic effect of water and land is visible in the
Dhaka’s settlement pattern. According to the Atlas of Urban Geology, prepared by the Institute of
Water Modelling (IWM, 2003), aside from Buriganga, Balu, and Turag rivers, three more rivers
and their branches crisscrossed Dhaka historically:
1. Dulai River (present Dholai channel): presumably a tributary of Balu river, Dulai taking
off from an area close to Demra and flowing south-west through Dhaka to join urganga
river, the present abandoned channels along Dhaka Medical College-Ramna Park-
Segunbagicha are the remnants of the rover.
2. Pandu River: its probable course of flow was through the Mohakhali-Agargaon- Kalyanpur
area.
3. Carevan (Karwan) River: it probably aligned along the Begunbari khal-Green Road-
Kalabagan- Dhanmondi lake to Turag river.
Now diminished, all three rivers once were inter-connected and contributed towards Dhaka’s
topography and natural drainage.
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2.1 Climate and Rainfall:
The Köppen climate classification classifies Dhaka’ climate as tropical wet and dry climate.
During cold days, Dhaka’s temperature drops to 8 °C (46 °F) or less, and during the hot season, it
reaches to 40°C (104°F) or more. The annual average rainfall of the city is 1,854 millimeters
(Weatherbase, 2019). Three sources are responsible for Dhaka’s rainfall: i) the summer monsoon,
ii) Nor’westers: the early summer thunderstorms, iii) the western depression of winter (Tawhid,
2004). From April till October, Dhaka’s weather is hot and humid, while from November to
February, it is cool and dry. Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s (2019) five-year rainfall
data indicates that around 90 per cent rainfall happens during the hot and humid seasons. During
this period, heavy rainfalls, often extends to several days, and total annual rainy days vary from
95 to 131 days (Tawhid, 2004).

Table 1: Dhaka Rainfall, 2014-18 (Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 2019)

Dhaka’s Monthly & Yearly Total Rainfall in mm.

Year Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun. Jul. Aug. Spt. Oct. Nov. Dec. Annual
2014 Max 0 8 10 54 34 52 69 75 37 37 0 0 75
Min 0 1 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1
Total 0 12 10 80 147 342 212 391 156 49 0 0 1399
2015 Max 2 11 4 58 46 83 90 88 64 18 0 1 90
Min 1 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 1 1
Total 3 17 4 166 185 375 623 395 346 51 0 1 2166
2016 Max 3 8 19 28 52 75 58 33 27 46 21 0 75
Min 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1
Total 3 13 55 55 212 212 405 171 138 76 25 0 1365
2017 Max 0 2 38 55 90 139 103 126 94 149 4 15 149
Min 0 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 1
Total 0 2 100 228 188 414 584 544 381 412 6 33 2892
2018 Max 0 16 2 77 52 82 60 25 23 24 13 12 82
Min 0 4 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 13 1 1
Total 0 20 3 309 392 366 354 141 76 45 13 13 1732

2.2 Natural Drainage System:

Dhaka’s natural drainage system includes water retention bodies and channels (commonly referred
to as ‘Khals’). Connected to Dhaka’s adjacent rivers, these khals discharge the monsoon rainfall-
runoff, accumulated in the retention bodies. There are 40 khals in Dhaka, exceeding 90 kilometers
in length, and their individual catchment area varies 6 to 40 sq. km (Chowdhury et al., 1998).
These khals drain approximately 80% of Dhaka’s water (Mowla, 2013).

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 Table 2: Dhaka's Canals (Tawhid, 2004)

Name of the khals Catchments Area (Sq. km) Length

Begunbari khal 37.7 6.5
Dholai khal 16.8 4.0
Segunbagicha khal 8.3 3.5
Gerani khal 6.7 3.4

All these khals have/had their outlets to the Buriganga, the Sitalakkhya, the Balu and the Turag
rivers, which were inter-connected (Mowla, 2013).
Apart from the khals, there are also many water storage areas such as lakes and low laying lands
which function as retention areas. According to Bangladesh University of Engineering and
Technology (BUET) (2009), Dhaka’s water bodies can be categorized into six types – ditch,
natural depression / lowland, pond, natural depression / lowland, lake, swamp/wetland.

Table 3:Categorization of in land water bodies in Dhaka (BUET, 2009)

Ditch Pond Lake Natural Khal Swamp

Depression (Canal/Channel)

Small, Perennial Man made Single Man made Track of low-

temporary, waterbody waterbody, waterbody in connection lying land
and commonly commonly wet season, with river, generally
perennial dug with dug in urban split up into beel (a lake- formed up
accumulation every rural areas. multiple like wetland due to the
of water homestead. pockets in with static filling of the
dry season water), lake basin.
People dump Big ponds
floodplain etc.
garbage in it. are called
“dighi”

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Currently, there are four major lakes in Dhaka, the details are given in the table:

Table 4: Dhaka's Lakes (Tawhid, 2004)

Lakes Length (meter) Area (square kilometer)

Gulshan lake 3800 0.480
Dhanmondi lake 2400 0.167
Crescent lake 650 0.016
Ramna lake 400 0.020

Apart from the above four lakes, Dhaka also has a lakefront in Hatirjheel-Begunbari areas, which
is commonly referred to as the Hatirjheel lake. The government has spent 19.71 billion takas for
the renovation of this 1.22 square kilometer water body (Daily Asian Age, September).
2.3 Rainfall Run-Off, Backwater Effect and Retention Storage:
The rainfall run-off is discharged to Dhaka’s adjoining rivers. Most Buriganga distributaries during
the monsoon remains high, causing backwater effect in the connected drainage system (the storm
sewers and channels). For several days, the flow velocity in the system remain sluggish as the
flood-water passes through the rivers. Luckily, Dhaka’s lakes and low-lying areas work as large
retention, saving the city flooding during heavy storms. But, increasing human activities are
threatening these retention bodies, causing water-logging.
2.4 Stormwater Drainage System:
Dhaka’s first drainage master plan was prepared in the 1960s and revised in 1991 with the support
of JICA. Later in 2011 a new study was carried out with the support of World Bank. Dhaka Water
Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) is responsible for water supply and drainage of Dhaka
city. Drainage is managed through two separate sewer systems: one for drainage of domestic
wastewater and the other for drainage of storm water. The research topic is confined to the storm
water drainage system. Based on the physiological nature of Dhaka, DWASA (2012) divided the
city drainage basin has been divided into the following three regions:
1. Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra (DND) area: Bangladesh Water Development Board
(BWDB) first developed the area as part of an irrigation project. Protected from flood by
polders, this 60 sq. km comparatively little economic value, urban fringe land has
undergone tremendous pressure for development despite general embargo by RAJUK’s
embargo.

2. Western Dhaka: This area is flood protected, and the total protected area is around 142
sq. km extending from Tongi Khal (north) to DND area (south) and Turag-Buriganga River

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 (west) to Railway line-Pragati Sarani-Atish Dipankar Road (east). These catchments
include the sewerage system which typically receive the discharges of household and
industrial waste water. DWASA (2012), however, acknowledges that the existing sewerage
system is not properly functional.

3. Eastern Dhaka: Much of Eastern Dhaka’s 116 sq. km area is unprotected from flood.
Extending from Atish Dipankar Road-Pragati Sarani-Railway line in the west to the Balu
river in the east and DND area in the south to Tongi Khal in the north, this part of Dhaka
lacks a proper sewage disposal system. The drainage network receives the burden of
discharging domestic and industrial effluent as well as the stormwater, and typically
discharged to the Banani, Gulshan, and Hartijheel lakes. Though previously reserved as a
flood plain, residential development overtook the area.
Three storm-water pump stations operate in Dhaka. Located in Goranchanbari, Kallyanpur, and
Dholai khal areas, all these stations fall under the western storm-water catchments. Government
planned to install two stations in the eastern catchments, and a new pump on Kamalapur had been
inaugurated in 2016 (DWASA, 2016). Kallyanpur and Goranchanbari pumps are connected to
stormwater retention ponds collecting stormwater (and wastewater discharged to the drainage
system) from their respective drainage zones.

3. Problem Statement:
In last 40 years or so, unchecked and unplanned urbanization has taken place in Dhaka. The city
observed insensitive development of areas through private land developers and real estate business.
Thus, Dhaka is experiencing a staggering increase in impervious areas, creating obstruction to
natural drainage pattern, and reducing detention basins. These are creating shortened runoff
concentration-time and increased the peak flow. As a result, flooding due to rainfall is a severe
problem for Dhaka city that remains inundated after each severe shower mainly due to the drainage
congestion. The city has experienced waterlogging for the last couple of years which creates large
infrastructure problems for Dhaka city that remains inundated after each severe shower mainly due
to drainage congestion. Waterlogging creates large infrastructure problems for the city and a huge
economic loss in production for the city together with substantial damages of existing property
and goods. Besides, ecological balance of the city is also disrupted, and diseases spread which is
a gross inconvenience to its inhabitants.
The city is protected from river flooding by an encircled embankment called Buckland Bund and
the Western Flood Protection Embankment, further obstructing the natural drainage. During the
rainy season (May to October), the high flooding in Dhaka’s surrounding rivers create back water
effect in the internal drainage system. Enough retention and detention capacity of rainfall-runoff
and sustainable drainage development during urban design and planning are now crying needs for
Dhaka.
The authorities in Dhaka introduced several crash programs to combat water-logging. In 1968, the
Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) adopted the first master plan to protect the
developed area of 75 km2 from floodwaters and to drain internal storm waters (Mowla, 2005). In
1975, BWDB developed a detailed scheme for an area of 145 km2 as a follow-up of the ’68 plan
(BWDB, 1990). DPHE in 1976 introduced another scheme for internal drainage. Nevertheless,

6
financial constraints prevented the authorities from approving the proposals, instead DPHE
adopted a crash program in 1976 (Tawhid, 2004).
Current storm water drainage is inadequate and cannot cope with recurring floods and storms. In
a 1981 study, drainage system improvement was recommended and as a follow-up the “Dhaka
Metropolitan integrated Urban development Project” incorporated a framework on the proposed
improvement (Tawhid, 2004). Afterward, the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE)
and later the Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) constructed about 140km of small
to large diameter sub-surface drains and re-excavated approximately 100km of the canal system
(DWASA, 2012). Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) also constructed another 120kms of surface and
sub-surface drains (DWASA, 2012).
Isolated or whimsical projects cannot solve Dhaka’s waterlogging problem. A large amount of
money has been spent on such projects in the past without any tangible success. Well-coordinated
and comprehensive plan incorporating all the concerned authorities can reduce the waterlogging.
Research questions:
Taking the abovementioned issues into consideration, this paper seeks to answer three research
questions:
1. What are the man-made factors and causes of water-logging?
2. What is the state of the existing anti-water-logging infrastructure?
3. What are the social, economic, physical and environmental impact of water-logging in
daily life and living?

4. Methodology:
Both primary and secondary data were needed to investigate the research questions of the study.
Below are the techniques used to collect data and information.
Focused Group Discussions and Informal Interviews: To understand the key causes and effects
of waterlogging, a qualitative data collection as informal interviews of experts, pubic and elected
officials as well as focused group discussions (FGD) with city dwellers has been conducted (lists
in the annexure). FGD participants were selected from three extremely waterlogging prone areas
through a purposive sampling technique. While the FGD participants shared their waterlogging
experiences, the experts and public officials provided the technical information behind the water-
logging.
Maps and Secondary Data: DNCC Zone 4 office provided a zone map and a report consisting
information and maps of khals, water retention ponds and pumping facilities. Bangladesh
Meteorological Department (BMD) provided the latest five-year monthly rainfall data. Some maps
and information were collected from RAJUK draft structural plan report (2016-2035) and Dhaka
Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (WASA) Sewerage (2012) and Drainage (2016)
master plans. The dengue data was collected from the Directorate General of Health Services
(DGHS). For other secondary sources, various scholarly papers, reports and news articles have
been reviewed.

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5. Causes of Water-logging:
According to urban planner, Dr. Md. Shakil Akter (in a personal interview on 16 November 2019),
some key causes of water-logging are: “1. Unplanned urbanization, 2. Lack of synchronization of
the service organization, 3. dysfunctionality of existing services, 4. untimely waste disposal, 5.
inadequate drainage system, 6. illicit encroachment of khals, 7. lack of waterbodies, 8.
unsystematic construction, and 9. obstruction of khal networks.” By taking his points, the study
provides an analysis of factors behind water-logging.
3.1 Urbanization, Encroachment and Disappearance of Natural Drainage System:
Dhaka’s natural drainage systems are disappearing. This disappearance is one of the primary
causes behind the water-logging. Overpopulation and rapid development of new residential areas,
illicit land filling, encroachments on lakes, and clogged drains due to ill-managed garbage and
solid waste are some of the reasons behind the disappearance.
During 1960’s, around 50 khals crisscrossed Dhaka City, with the total length of 256 km, but
gradual encroachment reduced the number to 26 khals, with only 125km total length (Tawhid,
2004). Dholai khal, which used to be one of the principle river-route in oldest part of Dhaka, now
almost disappeared due to four decades of wrong policies (Huq and Alam, 2003). Excavated by
the Mughal Subedar Islam Khan in 1610, this khal had interconnected outlets to the Buriganga,
the Balu, the Sitalakkhya, and the Turag rivers (Banglapedia, 2015). Unplanned and irregular road
constructions over the canal killed its flow, rendering it to extinction. Dhaka’s other khals faced
similar fate. According to Mowla and Islam (2013):
“Segunbagicha Khal extending from Shahbagh to the Jirani Khal via the Manda Bridge…
Begunbari Khal extending from Dhanmondi Lake to Trimuhani via Rampura before
emptying into the Balu River, the Ibrahimpur canal, the Khathalbagan-Rajarbagh canal,
the Gopibagh canal together with other minor canals of the city are all victims” (p.24).
Dhaka requires at-least 20 retention ponds, sizing Hatirjheel to tackle the storm water run-offs
(Bangladesh news, 2009 July). On the contrary, around 1,000 ponds have now been destroyed in
last few decades (Bangladesh news, 2009 March). Due to illegal encroachment, five rivers
surrounding Dhaka including Sitalakkhya and Buriganga lost 324 hectares (Mowla and Islam,
2013). This is a gross violation of the Wetland Protection Act, 2000. Chowdhooree (2010) claims,
with the current rate of loss, all of Dhaka’s temporary wetlands will disappear by 2031. Situation
worsened to such a level that even if the Water Body Conservation Act, 2000 is implemented, the
wetland loss cannot be stopped (Sultana, 2007). According to Sultana (2007), due to rapid
population growth, Dhaka’s fringe areas are developing in ‘S’ shape, indicating the early stage of
urbanization. The danger of such curve development is the disappearance of more wetlands, as the
gradual population and economic activities growth means continuous filling up of more wetlands.
Owing to the real state and residential purpose land filling, vast water catchments in Aftabnagar,
Badda, Baunia, Meradia, Banashree, Ashulia, Meradia and Amin Bazar areas are dangerously
shrinking. These are areas marked as flood flow zones in the Dhaka Metropolitan Development
Plan (DMDP), and land development in this zone clearly violates the Wetland Conservation Act,

8
2000. The rise of impervious surface in these wastelands increased the water-logging hazard that
now regularly swamp Dhaka city during the monsoon.
The Dhaka Tribune reporter Anik (2019, July) informs that approximately 3,483 acres (1,410
hectares) of water bodies, low-lying lands filled up over the last nine years.
Table 5: Dhaka's Total and Filled Up Waterbodies (Anik, 2019)

Areas of water bodies and low-lying land filled up in Dhaka City

Type Total Land (Hectares) Filled Land Percentage of Land
(Hectares) Filled in
Flood Flow Zone 760 436 57%
Water Retention Area 1,826 628 34%
Waterbodies 1,280 344 27%
Total 3,867 1,410 36%
Areas of water bodies and low-lying land filled up in RAJUK areas
Flood Flow Zone 30,230 7,730 25%
Water Retention Area 2,238 789 35%
Waterbodies 8,380 603 7%
Total 40,848 912 22%

3.2 Low Road and Area Elevation:

Dhaka WASA identified at least 48 water-logging prone areas (Shafiq, 2018). Though poor
drainage and sewerage contributes to the waterlogging in many areas, some of these areas fall in
low elevation pockets surrounded by comparatively higher grounds. Bashundhara, Mirpur’s
Kazipara, Senpara, few pockets in Basabo, Khilgaon, Meradia, Shantinagar, Badda, Postagola,
Demra, Amlapara, Siddheswari and parts of the old town fall in such category. Unable to pass
through the sewage and drains, rainfall run-off flows down to these areas and create water-logging.
During the personal interview, Dhaka Ward-14 Counsellor Humayun Rashid Jonny informed that,
“Water drains from high elevation areas to low elevation areas. Senpara, Kazipara and Shewrapa
(Mirpur) get waterlogged by water from Mirpur 10, 11 and 12. There is no place for rain-water to
drain. For example- before there were khals and many ditches. The parliament has lake, so water
drains there but our area does not have any water retention space.”

Another problem is the low elevations of the internal/community roads than the connecting main
roads. Rain-water flows to this area and creates water-logging. The bad drainage systems do not
help the situation and sometimes stuck rainfall water remains for 3-4 days. During Focused Group
Discussions in Kazipara (Mirpur), Moulobhirtek (Khilgaon), and Basabo (Sabujbag) thana (sub-
district) areas, the participants made similar complains.

3.3 Poor drainage and infrastructure system:

Due to obstruction, degradation, and demolition of natural drainage systems, Dhaka is prone to
frequent flooding. A Detailed Area Plan (DAP, 2007) was developed to address the issue.
However, rather than focusing on adequate space for water retention ponds and permeable surfaces
like- parks and other unpaved surfaces, DAP focus is on roads and structures, pump stations and
9
embankments approach. This approach risks intensifying residents suffering rather than
diminishing them. The geo-morphology of Dhaka city indicates that a reservoir-based gravity
drainage system will work better than pump and embankment-based flood control strategy. For
instance, Dhanmodi area is encircled by water basin. As a result, this area is less susceptible to
flood and waterlogging. On the other hand, Amlapara or BUET campus or Siddheswari area more
susceptible to flood and waterlogging for the same reason that there is no place for the water to
flow to.
According to an official of DNCC, Dhaka norths’ waste and storm water flows to the nearby Turag
river. Following flow diagram and details obtained from DNCC show how the system works:

Householding DNCC’s open saucer

DWASA pipe
connection and open drains and pipe
sewerage and khals
space sewerage

Large capacity
Pumping station
Turag river pond/lake
DWASA/WDB
DWASA/BWDB

The picture above gives an idea of water flow and the detail is given below-
 Household connection and open space: still water created by either rain or everyday
usage is known as householding connection and open space water. Household water or
outdoor water first go towards the drains.
 DNCC’s open saucer drains and pipe sewerage: it is usually built while building the
roads on both sides of footpaths. Household or rain water come through the pipes and fall
into these drains. Though these drains the water pass to the DWASA-controlled khals.
 DWASA pipe sewerage and khals: it indicates the khals that are situated in Dhaka city.
Water run through pipes or directly into these khals. Through these khals water to go
different water bodies or holdings where water is removed through pump.
 Pumping station: in the pumping station water is dumped into the river.
In this process water passes from household or open space to drains to the river as the last step and
this is the current and only water channel system. However, the system functions only
theoretically. FGD in Kazipara, Mirpur (a DNCC area) reveals that, narrow drain-pipes, clogged
and filled drainage system by solid waste, garbage, sands, and road side constructions materials,
lack of alternative drainage, and poor sewage connections to the khals and big rivers are some of

10
the key reasons behind water-logging. FGD participants also ranted out against concerned
authorities poor drain construction:
“If rain continues for an hour and half or two, water-logging happens in the area. Drainage
construction work that takes place here, are extremely poor in quality. For instance,
manhole covers which are basically cement slabs broke within two days after their
construction.”
When asked about the problems, the DNCC Executive Engineer (Zone-4), Mollah Md.
Nuruzzaman replied,
“DNCC does not specifically work on waterlogging. However, it helps eradicate the
waterlogging effect. For example, DNCC built sewerage for a better drainage system but
it also works to reduce waterlogging.”
He blamed DWASA’s inadequate sewerage system, narrow drainage line, encroachments in khals
and retention ponds, dumping of bricks, sands, cements and other materials in the water bodies,
reduction of depth of Turag river for water-logging. Among other reasons mentioned by him are
summarized in the below points:
Low powered pumps: Existing pumps are of very low power, thereby they pump out inadequate
amount of rainwater.
Solid waste, garbage and encroachment: Owing to the residential development activities,
retention ponds and khals connected to the pumps have become subject to land and solid waste
filling.
Pumps do not operate when needed: When rain starts, water from all direction starts flowing
towards the pumping station area, but pumping does not start at the same time. It starts after the
water is full. It does not pump out as per the rate water is flowing in the adjacent area. The result
is waterlogging. Poor management or negligence of the employees are the reasons behind this.
Ignorance: According to the DNCC engineer, “people are extremely ignorant.” They throw all
types of wastes into the drains. They slaughter animals (such as cows) beside the drains as a result
bloods flow to the drain; they do not even wash it with water. They throw other parts of the
slaughtered into the drains. Construction works also contribute towards blocking of drains. Waste
materials from the constructions like broken bricks, sand, cements, etc. are dumped in the drains.
Lack of maintenance: Maintenance is not done where needed. It has been seen that where a drain
has become unusable, instead of repairing it, a new one is built over or beside the old one. It does
not solve the problem but increases the cost. If old drains are repaired, it would cost less because
it is less costly to maintain than building a new one.
Lack of synchronization: The organizations that work in the city, do it separately without any
integration. This is another primary reason of waterlogging in Dhaka city. DWASA works on khals
in their own way, BWDB on waterbodies or pumping stations or retention ponds in their own way,
and city corporation works on drains in their own way. No one communicates with others even
though all these works are interconnected. If there is a problem in any place, the entire water flow

11
channel gets affected. For example- if DWASA builds a new khal or works on an old one and does
not connect it to the drains, the water from the drains will not flow to the khals properly. On the
other hand, if BWDB’s work is not synchronized with DWASA then water will not flow from
khals to the pumping stations.
Pucca (solid/pitch/permanent) road: previously roads were not pucca and there were plenty of
open spaces. Rain-water could easily go underground. But now everything is Pucca so water
cannot go underground.
In another interview, BUET Professor Shah Jahan Mandal gave similar opinion regarding the
pump’s functionality and capacity, lack synchronization among authorities and lack of awareness
among Dhaka residents. He added (summarized below):
 Drainage system do not properly work. Although the pumping stations located at
Kallyanpur, Dholaikhal, and Goranchanbari are functional, but the drainage system
linked to these facilities leading to the river are not adequate and often not operational.
 Box Culverts do not properly function, because of deep design flaws. Most of these
culverts are shaped in a rectangular format, but they should have been designed in
UCEP format.
 Sewerage systems are not properly cleaned and maintained. In fact, Bangladesh do not
have the necessary tools and machineries to properly maintain the sewerage system.
Unplanned road construction and real estate expansion, inept urban planning, lack of
garbage and solid waste management resulting in blockage of Dhaka drainage system.

A recent DSCC and Dhaka WASA joint report found several waterlogging chokepoints in the
Dhaka South (Shafiq, 2018). According to the report rainwater from Dhanmondi-8/A Staff
Quarters intersection, Dhanmondi-27, Kathal Bagan, Rapa Plaza, Gastro Liver lane, Green Road,
Kalabagan Dolphin Lane, Meradia, and Madartek, traverse through the Panthapath Box Culvert,
Rampura and Hatirjheel canal, and finally come to pass in the Balu River. Rainwater drain into the
Buriganga River through the Buriganga sluice gate from Kazi Alauddin Road, Nazimuddin Road,
Hossaini Dalan, New Market, BGB gates 3 and 4, Chawkbazar, west-south Bottola, Lalbagh, and
Bangsal. Rainwater from Mouchak, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Motijheel, Dilkusha, Bailey Road,
Siddheswari, Circuit House Road, Doinik Bangla, Segunbagicha, Paltan, Shantibagh, Fakirapul
Rajarbagh, and Arambagh end up to the Buriganga and Balu Rivers through the Kamalapur Pump,
Segunbagicha Box Culvert, Maniknagar canal, Manda canal, and Jirani canal. In Gulistan, there is
no drainage, triggering waterlogging Bangabhaban and Secretariat areas after rainfall. Water from
Mugda, Basabo and Khilgaon passes through the Madartek, and Basabo, and Trimohoni khals,
eventually reaching the Balu and Buriganga rivers. Rainwater from Laxmibazar, Kaptan Bazar,
and Agamasi Lane flows through the English Road, Dholaikhal box culvert, ending up at the
Sutrapur pump. Rainwater from Postogola, Jurain, Muradpur, Kodomtola, Shyampur, and
Doyaganj rail-bridge drains through the Zia Sarani canal, Rosulbagh, and Shimrail pump (Water
Development Board), draining into the Shitalakshya river. In Mir Hajaribagh, there is no drainage.
Similar to the Kazipara (a DNCC area) FGD findings, the FGDs in Khilgaon and Bashabo-
Sabujbagh areas (DSCC areas) reveal that the narrow drain-pipes, clogged and filled drainage

12
system owing to solid waste and garbage dumping, poor sewage connections to the khals and big
rivers as the key reasons behind water-logging. In addition, FGD participants pointed their figure
at corruption, lack of coordination and ignorance among the concerned authorities, dumping and
littering by ignorant people, ignorance in drain cleaning as the primary causes behind water-
logging.

3.4 Waste Management System:

Dhaka’s haphazard waste management is one of the core reasons behind this city’s water-logging.
Unprecedented urban congestion, incredible population density, explosive population growth, and
unchecked urban migration have made it impossible to clean the drains and streets as fast as the
waste thrown onto them. With a density of 47,400 people per square kilometer, Dhaka tops the
world’s most densely populated city list (Dermographia World Urban Areas, 2018). According to
Kazi (2002), this City daily generates daily 3500-4000 tons solid waste, making the per capita
generation about 0.5 kg. In 2016-17, the total waste generated was approximately 8,52,390 tonnes
(Khan, 2019). During the rainy season, the amount of waste generation increases, as this is the
time when most of the seasonal vegetables and fruits become available into the market (Tawhid,
2019). The left-over of fruits, trashed food, plants and grass, brick, paper, dirt and polythene
materials make up majority of Dhaka’s waste.
Management of this massive waste primarily lies on the two city corporations—the Dhaka North
City Corporation (DNCC) and the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). DSCC’s waste
dumping ground Matuail Landfill, with an area 40-hectare -- already has 20-meter-high piles of
garbage, while DNCC’s 21-hectare Aminbazar landfill -- is already nine-meter-high (Khan, 2019).
Both city corporations are unable to process the waste using the traditional landfill method. With
recent donor support, they have taken several projects such as community-based waste
management activities, urban public and environmental health development projects, medical
waste recycling plant development of sanitary landfill, and waste-based power plant (Khan, 2019;
Ahmed, 2019; Chandan, 2019). But Mahmud (2018) reports that the managements have seen no
major improvement due to following reasons:
 flouting rules and regulations: Negligence complaints, in duty against DNCC and DSCC
staffs and sweepers are common. Although, nearly 4,000 tons of daily household garbage
generates in Dhaka, the DNCC and DSCC only report 500 tons or less. Such disparity
clearly indicates that citizens complain is not irrelevant. Citizens also do not follow rules,
many dump garbage ignoring designated spots and waste bins.

 unsuccessful mini-bin project: In 2016, Dhaka’s city corporations installed 6,000 waste
bins. Lack of strict waste disposal law and Carelessness among Citizen’s led the project to
go with fiasco. People throw garbage here and there, instead of the bin. In fact, many bins
got stolen.

 incomplete STS projects: Lack of coordination and blame games are common among the
concerned authorities. For instance, DSCC and DNCC officials blame RAJUK’s faulty

13
 plan for not being able to build secondary transfer stations (STS) in every ward for efficient
waste management. In 2013, World Bank funded the STS project. The project missed the
December 2015 deadline. According to the officials, lack of free space, illegal occupation
in the allotted spot, and interreference by the influential people for the delay and
incompletion. As of February 2018, in DNCC, among 72 STS only 51 have been finished,
while in DSCC, only 12 among 45 have been finished. Such procrastination and blaming
do not help, as unmanaged wastes quickly block the drainage and sewerage systems.

 no steps to tackle the construction dumps: Both city corporations lack strict regulations
against irregular construction material dumping in footpaths and roads. Unchecked and
unprotected open construction and demolition of old buildings, random road excavation
and repair often lead to congestion in the drainage system.

 open garbage trucks: Mobile garbage removal directives are often not properly followed.
Garbage truck drivers and cleaners are supposed to cover the waste when moving them to
the landfill from the STS. But most often the truck tops remain open and wastes randomly
fall in the roads. Rainfall washes away these dropped wastes to the nearby drains and
sewerage systems.

 fund crisis for waste-based power plants: DNCC and DSCC’s flagship project the
‘waste-based power station’ never took off. The original construction deadline was 2013,
but as of today, Italy-based Management Environment Finance SRL Ltd failed to disburse
the funds needed initiate the project.

 failed 3R waste management: In 2012, Bangladesh Climate Trust Change Fund provided
USD 2.47 million to The Department of Environment, which prescribed the 3R method-
reduce, reuse, recycle. Inadequate sensitization among public and repeated poor waste
management rendered the project failed.

 inadequate waste treatment plant: Matual and Aminbazar landfills produce substantial
leachate and have been polluting the nearby environment. Among the two landfills, only
Matuail has a leachate treatment plant, but it is insufficient against the heavy load of waste.
Leachate, a liquid that drains or leaches from a landfill, is hazardous to arable lands, water
resources and aquatic lives.
Among the solid waste, most dangerous is plastic and polythene. The government took initiatives
to ban regular use of polythene in 2002. The ban’s effect did not last long. After a short recess
polythene again become available in the market. Cheap and readily available, most people like to
reuse polyethene bags. One of the many hazards of polythene and plastic is that careless littering
of these items blocks drainage systems. A recent report published by Earth Day Network (2018)
ranked Bangladesh as world’s 10th most plastic polluting countries. The estimated contribution of
plastic is eight percent of the country's total annual waste, of which around 200,000 tonnes go into
the ocean and rivers (Seppo, 2018). According to former city mayor Mohammad Hanif,
“Indiscriminate dumping of polythene bags has been creating serious environmental hazards and

14
water logging because this insoluble object is choking the drainage system and causing overflow
of filthy sewerage water” (Islam, 1998).

6. Effects of Water Logging

Waterlogging creates varied physical, social, economic and environmental problems in the urban
life:

4.1 Physical Problems:

Because of the water-logging, residential houses, schools, colleges, and other buildings in the low
laying areas go under water. Most of these buildings are made of bricks. As the water-logging
creates corrosive after effect such as dampness and salinity, the sturdiness of the brick foundation
deteriorates. Most vulnerable are the low-income people who live in slums, as these settlements
receive the hardest hit. Most often these people cannot rebuild their house and forced to migrate
in other areas, resulting in intense economic and psychological hardship.

Dampness, heave, and subsidence during and immediately after the water-logging damage road
pitches and create dangerous pothole in the road. Underground utilities such as metalloid pipes
used for water, sewerage, telephone, etc. purpose receive damage and lose durability.

4.2 Social Problems:

One of the irksome effects of Dhaka’s water-logging is the disruption to traffic. Over 25mm
rainfall in Dhaka can create 20 cm or higher trapped rainfall run-off in the roads for hours, forming
puddles (Tawhid 2004). The storm water drainage cannot drain out this water, making Dhaka’s
awful traffic jam even more pathetic.

Despite few botherations, affluent people can employ various coping strategies against water-
logging. On the contrary, poor people’s suffering knows no bound during water-logging. As
majority of them live in unstable sites, they are forced to stomach the brunt of poor drainage. Bad
drainage allow flood to enter their house and the surroundings. Often, the water stays for few days
or weeks, polluting supply water and aquatic assets, breeding mosquito and other vectors, leading
to health problems, direct and indirect financial loss, and other livelihood damages.

4.3 Environmental and Health Problems:

Though, theoretically Dhaka WASA has two separate sewer systems, but in reality, bulk of the
domestic wastewater passes through the storm sewer, falling into and polluting the receiving water
bodies.

One of the most perilous effects of waterlogging is the spread of water and vector-borne diseases.
Because of bad urban drainage, sewage from overflowing sewerage and latrines mix up with the
rainfall runoff causing waterborne diseases. Moreover, stagnant water surrounding the houses

15
provide a breeding ground for flies and mosquitoes leading to the spread of vector-borne diseases
like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. Bangladesh recently faced a severe dengue outbreak.
DGHS (2019) data shows 44,986 patients in Dhaka were hospitalized, out of them 148 died. There
is a dearth of research in Bangladesh on the correlations between water-logging and dengue fever.
A study carried out by Salam (2018) in India’s Delhi, however, found correlations between annual
rainfall and dengue incidence. A comparable research to Salam’s, if carried out in Dhaka, may
potentially patterned the correlation.

Stagnant rainwater mixing with solid waste, litter, garbage, and other forms of pollutants damages
trees, vegetation and aquatic resources. Common visible effects of urban pollution on surface water
is the severe damage to the fish, and other aquatic animals and plants. When the logged water
finally ends in the rivers or in the retention bodies, eroded sediments get deposited in the bottom,
adversely affecting aquatic environment.

4.4 Economic Problems:

Owing to repeated water-logging, life span of roads and metalloid utility pipes decreases. Due to
recurring construction and maintenance work, authorities have to bear huge cost. Creation of
impervious surfaces by reason of construction work reduces lowering of the ground water, causing
shortage of water, soil subsiding, and consolidation snags (Mowla, 2013). Also, a common case in
Dhaka is that because of leakage or corrosion in supply water pipes, polluted rain water intrudes
in them. Contaminated supply water critically exposes the users to various health hazards such as
cholera, bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, influenza, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever.
According to icddr,b (2014, pp. 11-17), such infections incur an “economic cost of at least
US$169m a year in Bangladesh… nearly 6 million people are pushed into poverty each year in
Bangladesh because of healthcare costs.”

Rainwater often enters houses, damages household goods and stored food grains. Prolonged
rainwater stay in the house dampens floor and wall, leading to direct financial cost. Waterlogging
also damages income potentials as activities in markets, shops, and other financial enterprises
receives deadly hits. Traffic jam as a result of waterlogging renders time, productivity and
economic losses.

7. Remedial Policy Options

Rapid population expansion and subsequent unplanned urbanization are leading to illicit
encroachment in the waterbodies and natural drainage system. Real estate and private developer
activities, such as unlawful grabbing and filling of water retention bodies for housing purpose, ill-
managed construction material dumping, are grossly violating the Wetland Conservation Act and
derailing Dhaka’s Detailed Area Plan (DAP). Such activities are resulting in the annihilation of
natural drainage and water retention facilities, causing unprecedented water-logging. Only an
appropriate set of remedial policy options can address this grave issue. This study prescribes the
following steps:

16
a. Natural Drainage System Recovery:
To ensure the ecological balance, a megacity must maintain at least 25 percent wetland;
unfortunately, Dhaka has less than 10 percent (Khan cited in Tawhid, 2012). Concerned authorities
such as BWDB, DNCC, DSCC, DWASA, RAJUK, etc. should take appropriate measures, and
some of them are as follows:
 RAJUK needs to stop permitting the construction of buildings in low and wetlands.
 DWASA, BWDB, DCC (North and South) should work closely with other relevant
authorities to identify a clear definition of water bodies, threatened to be filled out.
 All real estate and housing developers must be forced to follow the DMDP rules and
regulations strictly. The DMDP demarcated flood retention areas should be left untouched
for its respective uses.
 Recently, authorities have taken praiseworthy initiatives to recover khals and lakes from
the encroachers (The Daily Star, 2017). However, experiences show that the encroachers
always wait for the opportunity to resume their violation following the recovery. Strict
imposition of post-recovery monitoring can stop them from resuming. Particularly,
vigorous enforcement of laws and usage of the Wetland Conservation Act as an instrument
can fend off the violators. If necessary, the Act should be amended.

b. Waste Management:
Major Hurdles: Legal, Political, Financial, and Institutional
Lately, in Bangladesh, the burden of waste collection and disposal has befallen on the shoulder of
the city corporations and the municipalities almost one-sidedly. With limited technical and
financial capacities, Dhaka’s City Corporations (North & South) find the waste management
extremely painful. Unprecedented population density, explosive urban growth, careless littering
practice made the cleaning of the city streets and drains nearly impossible. Bangladesh do not have
any independent waste management law. The only legal instruments are the Bangladesh
Environmental Conservation Act 1995 and Municipal Ordinance 1983 (amended in 1999). As
ordinances do not strictly forbid littering, people dispose their wastes hither and thither and do not
dispose them in the designated places or bins. The city urgently needs a new comprehensive and
stringent solid waste management legislation, covering, a. the indexing of wastes in terms of the
hazard scale, b. enforcing proper solid waste management procedures, c. introducing strict
punishment against littering, so that people check themselves from throwing solid waste hither and
thither. Enacting any laws in the National Parliament is tricky and lengthy. Nevertheless, adequate
logical arguments to back it up can speedily overcome such political hurdles.
DNCC and DSCC combinedly hire approximately 3,000 temporary cleaners daily (Tawhid, 2012).
These hiring is based on “no work – no payment,” rendering job-insecurity and inefficient solid
waste management. To improve the situation, they should revise the hiring method, job-duration
and the remuneration. They must receive proper training, medical attention, as well as gloves and
masks as protections.

17
As of today, modern scientific and technological methods are not applied in Dhaka’s waste
management. Therefore, most of the wastes are being dumped in the nearby water bodies and low
lands.
Community Based Waste Management (CBWM)
DNCC and DSCC with their limited capacity cannot cope with Dhaka city’s everyday solid waste.
In many areas, community-based waste management has been introduced as an alternative. For
instance, garbage pickup and disposal in Mirpur, Shaymoli, Kolabagan, Kathalbagan and Uttara
has seen some success. Several non-governmental organizations are supporting this type of
management. CBWM should receive strong sponsorship from the City Corporations. However,
several matters need to be taken under consideration for an effective CBWM. Firstly, authorities
should designate a convenient dumping location for the garbage collectors and should ensure
efficient removal service for the garbage. Secondly, environment friendly waste disposal should
replace the mass waste dumping in wetlands and water bodies; controlled incineration can be an
option. Thirdly, the concerned authorities can introduce efficient recycling of the collected
household waste.
c. Improvement of drainage system:
DWASA has prepared separate master plans on Dhaka’s sewerage and drainage system in 2012
and 2016 respectively. Dhaka residents are yet to see any impact of those studies. However, the
reports put forward several interesting proposals:
1. Incorporation of Basin Development Factor,
2. Comprehensive Drainage Development Plan,
3. Establish “Right-of Way,”
4. Green City Concept.
While the establish right-of way entails recovery from encroachments by establishing legal
jurisdictions and the green city concept is still in the development face, the following subsections
critically assess the first two proposals.
Incorporation of “Basin Development Factor”: how realistic?
Considering Dhaka’s S shape urbanization development, it is necessary to extend the watershed
capacity. The drainage development masterplan fleetingly mentioned the incorporation of “Basin
Development Factor (BDF)” to address the issue, without any proper execution strategy. In Texas,
a study used more than 100 watersheds to generate estimations of peak discharge characteristics
and unit hydrograph timing characteristics (Sundar et al. 2009). The objective of the study was to
check whether BDF can accurately estimate the urban hydrologic response or not. Findings were
discouraging-- BDF cannot make estimates worse but does not improve estimates either. This is
not that the paper rejects BDF, but further in-depth feasibility study of BDF is required before
implementing such an ambitious and costly project whimsically.

18
Comprehensive drainage development plan: impressive but execution required
The master plan provides a candid discussion on drainage development in Dhaka. The ideas and
designs laid out in the report are impressive. It has been treated as a basic document for storm-
water/manmade drainage network plan for Dhaka Area Plan, 2016-2035 (Dhaka Tribune, 2019
February). The report prescribes a number of recommendations including DWASA in
collaboration with city corporations, placing proper drain outlets and cleaning them regularly,
installing pipes under main roads and lanes in accordance with the water volume, placing sufficient
drainage lines to cope with the heavy rainfall, building drains maintaining geographical locations,
finishing digging without delay, recovering roads immediately after digging, removing garbage
instantly after picking them from drains, reclaiming encroached waterbodies, installing separate
sewerage line in every zone, not piling up construction materials on the road, cleaning up box
culverts, maintaining open marshlands and lowlands, and constructing new water reservoirs. Other
recommendations are: setting up new or expanding drainage infrastructure, maintaining saucer
drains, catch pits, pipe drains, open drains, box culverts, storm sewer lines and, installing pumping
stations and big water reservoirs.
Dhaka residents had seen many plans before but saw very little tangible improvement of the water-
logging problem. The master plan is now nearly four years old. If the concerned authorities are
truly sincere about addressing the waterlogging issue, they should execute the plans rather than
carry forward the ideas from one document to another.
d. Awareness raising against drain closing:
Strong awareness campaign should be introduced to inform the Dhaka residents about the
aftereffects of natural drainage filling. People living nearby, occupy and pollute it day by day.
Some people are illiterate, some are greedy, and others are careless. So, the awareness campaigns
should be coupled with strong punishments for littering. Engaging NGOs can help the cause.
e. Vegetation and aquaculture:
Water lily, lotus, ipil-ipil and other aquatic plants can be cultivated in Dhaka’s waterbodies.
Because of their deep roots and huge nutrient absorption capacity, they can clear the polluted
waters and restrict eutrophication (Mowla, 2008). Fish cultivation is also a good way to keep the
water clean. Eco friendly fishes such as Sarputi, Rajputi, Rui, Silver Curp, Grass Curp eat upper
level foods and wastage in the water such as rotten leaves, organic materials, insects and thus
purifies water (Mowla, 2013). Another technique of resuscitating lost water-habitat is thick
vegetation along major water channels. Planting hardy species such as Ashoke, Mahua, Hijal,
Keora, Krishnachura, Kadam, Jarul, Shiuli etc. can reduce hydrological pollution, soil erosion,
sedimentation and eutrophication (Mowla, 2008).
f. Replication of Best Practices and Possible Collaborative Approaches:
Bangladesh can learn from the best practices from other nations. For instance, Netherlands has a
proud history of flood management. Praiseworthy Dutch projects such as ‘room for rivers’ can be
a big inspiration. Replication of such project through collaborative efforts between the Dutch

19
government and the Bangladesh government opens a more meaningful window to address Dhaka
water-logging.

8. Conclusion:
Unplanned development is the key reason behind Dhaka’s waterlogging. Owing to the unplanned
development, the storm water drainage systems, are facing illegal encroachment, filling up,
causing diversion and obstruction to the natural flow of water. Because of this obstruction, the city
is exposed to irksome waterlogging, particularly during monsoon. Waterlogging incurs substantial
direct and indirect adverse social, physical, economic and environmental costs. Such costs during
the downpours indicate the seriousness and necessity for corrective government responses. Lack
of coordination and transparency are prevalent among the concerned authorities. Negligence and
carelessness of the city corporation staff and cleaners, careless littering by the citizens and
procrastination in drainage construction and maintenance work are some of the key reasons behind
the city’s waterlogging problems.
Sustainable drainage could be key to a sustainable development as it decreases the impacts would
otherwise transpire due to heavy downpour and water runoff. Because the works are interrelated,
if the drainage system works properly, the utility services could also work properly. An effective
synchronization and collaboration between concerned authorities is important for an operative
drainage system to improve the city’s waterlogging problem.

20
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Sultana, N. (2007). Impact of Urbanization on Wetlands: A Case study of Dhaka City. an
unpublished Area of Concentration (AOC) Dissertation, Department of Urban and Regional
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Tawhid, K. G. (2004). Causes and effects of water logging in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. TRITA-
LWR master thesis, Department of Land and Water Resource Engineering, Royal Institute of
Technology, Stockholm.
Tithi, N. (2018, July 18). Solving our waterlogging woes. Stuff. Retrieved from
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The Daily Star (2017, October 24). Minister's comments on waterlogging. Retrieved from
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The Daily Star (2018, July 31). Waste management top priority in DNCC budget. Retrieved from
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The Daily Star (2019, September 16). Dengue Outbreak: It’s now worse outside Dhaka.
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2C+Bangladesh.

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Annexure:
Table 6: Focused Group Discussions and Personal Interviews Information.

Technique Respondents Affiliation/ Area

1. Executive Engineer (Mollah Zone 4, Dhaka North City
Md. Nuruzzaman) Corporation (DNCC)
Informal Interview
2. Professor (Dr. Shah Jahan Institute of Water and Flood
Mandal) Management, BUET
3. Professor (Dr. Md. Shakil Urban and Regional Planning,
Akter) BUET
4. Ward Counsellor (Humayun Ward -14, Dhaka
Rashid Jonny)
5. Residents (8) Kazipara, Mirpur, Dhaka
(DNCC)
Focused Group 6. Residents (8) Moulivirtek, Khilgaon, Taltola,
Discussions Dhaka (DSCC)
7. Residents (8) Basabo, Sabujbag, Dhaka
(DSCC)

Figure 1: Dhaka's Natural Drainage System and Elevation (Source: DWASA).

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Figure 2: Retention Pond (Source: DNCC, Zone 4, 2019).

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Figure 3: Dhaka's Storm Water Drainage System (DWASA, 2012).

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 Figure 4: DNCC Zone 4- Base Map- Roads (Source: DNCC, Zone 4 Office, 2019).

Figure 5: Wastes in Khals (Picture 1) and Encroached Khals (Picture 2) (Source DNCC, Zone 4 Office, 2019)

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Figure 6: Proposed drainage facilities of Dhaka region (RAJUK, 2015).

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