2 electrocuted, signal No. 3 at ports, trough over north Bay causes the rain
Parts of several vehicles go under water in Fakirerpool area of the capital due to the incessant downpour that starts from early Thursday.
Incessant rain has submerged many parts of the city in ankle-to-waist-deep water, wreaking havoc on Dhaka city life and trade on Thursday.
At least two people were killed as they stepped on live power cable which was submerged in rain water in Bangshal area of the capital around 9:30am, said Abdul Kuddus Fakir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bangshal Police Station.
A total of 70 millimetres of rain fell in six hours from 6:00am Thursday morning, said Shah Alam, director of Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
He forecast the intensity will continue today, but the rain spell might come down tomorrow.
The country’s highest rainfall was recorded in Tangail at 82mm.
Office-goers do not have to undergo suffering due to the downpour as Thursday is a public holiday due to Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community.
A Met office bulletin said the rainfall occurred as a trough of low lies over north Bay and deep convection is taking places there.
Due to nor’wester heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at places over Dhaka, Barisal, Chittagong, Sylhet and Rajshahi divisions during next 24 hours commencing from 8:00am on Thursday, the bulletin added.
The meteorological department has advised the three sea ports in Bangladesh–Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Mongla–to hoist cautionary signal No 3.
Fishing boats and trawlers have been asked not to venture into the sea until further notice.
In its forecast, the meteorological office said rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur over Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong and Sylhet divisions. Several areas in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions may also experience moderate to heavy rains.
The torrential pouring started early Thursday. It soon submerged the city streets and alleyways.
People living in the shanties are the worst sufferers. They found their huts under knee-deep water.
Most of the main thoroughfares including Green Road, Dhanmondi 27, Asad Gate, Shyamoli, Iqbal Road, Indira Road, Razabazar, Gendaria, Shyampur, Shahjahanpur, Fakirerpool, Old Dhaka, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Nayapaltan and Motijheel have been reeling under knee-to-waist-deep water for hours.
The rickshaws and auto-rickshaws that braved rainwater in the morning charged many times the usual fares.
The manholes or potholes added to the sufferings as vehicles and pedestrians stumbled on them and fell in water.
Shopping malls and Other businesses witness thin presence of customers and clients as people prefers to stay indoors.
ELECTROCUTED
The duo who contacted live power lines are identified as Sagar, 25, and Awlad, 30, (full names were not known).
They were electrocuted while walking on a road submerged by rainwater, the OC said. Both of them were residents in Malitola area of Bangshal, the OC said.
Source: The Daily Star
