Heavy Rainfall Paralyzes Dhaka as Flooded Streets Disrupt Morning Commute

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Heavy monsoon rains brought Dhaka to a near-standstill on the first workday of the week, as relentless downpours submerged key roadways and paralyzed public transportation across the capital. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 76 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in just six hours leading up to 6:00 a.m. Monday, marking the highest single-period accumulation of the season.

The city’s infrastructure struggled to cope with the deluge, leaving commuters stranded in knee-deep water. In the Kazipara area, motorists reported engine failures as water inundated the streets, forcing many to abandon their vehicles. Residents navigating the transit hubs of Sheorapara and Agargaon described a desperate scene, with thousands of office workers and students waiting in the rain for hours as public transport services were severely disrupted.

For many, the commute proved impossible. Office workers expressed frustration as they remained stuck for hours, unable to proceed to their destinations or return home. Public transit, including buses, became increasingly scarce, leaving vulnerable commuters to wait in the rain with no clear indication of when services might resume.

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The impact of the flooding extended to the academic calendar as well. Authorities at the Sheorapara branch of Monipur High School and College were forced to suspend ongoing mid-year examinations as the main access roads and surrounding alleys leading to the campus became impassable. Local residents noted that the persistent rain, which began in the early hours of Sunday night, quickly overwhelmed drainage systems, turning primary thoroughfares into stagnant pools of water and complicating the city’s ability to function.