Chronic Flooding Disrupts Operations at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital
Heavy rainfall in Rajshahi once again crippled access to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on Monday, leaving the emergency department and main entrance submerged in knee-deep water. The deluge, which saw over 50 millimeters of rain fall by late afternoon, created hazardous conditions for patients, medical staff, and visitors, forcing many to navigate through stagnant water to reach the facility.
Witnesses reported that individuals were forced to hike up their clothing or carry their footwear to wade through the flooded streets, with some patients slipping in the murky runoff. The situation remained dire well into the evening, as the low-lying terrain surrounding the hospital failed to drain the accumulation for several hours.
Hospital officials acknowledge that the chronic flooding has persisted for years, despite multiple attempts to mitigate the issue. According to hospital spokesperson Sheikh Shamim Ahmed, the facility’s grounds have been elevated at least three times in recent years to combat the problem. However, he noted that the hospital’s internal drainage system relies on the broader municipal network, rendering standalone fixes insufficient. Hospital management is currently reviewing options to further raise the entrance level while coordinating with the city government to ensure existing drains are cleared of obstructions.
The Rajshahi City Corporation maintains that the drainage infrastructure is functional, though officials point to human factors exacerbating the blockage. Chief Sanitation Officer Sheikh Md. Mamun stated that illegal sidewalk vendors frequently discard refuse into the storm drains, impeding water flow. While city officials claim the water typically recedes within a few hours, the recurring nature of the floods continues to fuel public frustration.
Beyond the hospital grounds, the severe weather also triggered flooding in several other low-lying neighborhoods across the city, including Lakshmipur, Bakir Mor, Dingadoba, and Baharampur. The persistent failure to provide a permanent solution to the city’s drainage capacity remains a primary concern for residents, who continue to face significant distress during the monsoon season.
