Disinformation campaigned using old photos of Chittagong floods: Minister of State for Local Government
Photo Collected
State Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry Mir Shahe Alam has commented that ‘exaggerated’ publicity has been carried out on social media regarding the recent flooding situation in Chittagong city. He said, using old pictures of 2023, misinformation has been spread about Chittagong. While the city did not actually go under water, heavy rains caused temporary waterlogging in some areas.
It was informed in the press release sent by the city corporation that the state minister of local government said this while inspecting the ongoing development activities and canal renovation project in Chittagong city. He visited Maheshkhal, Chaktai, Rajakhali and Pravartke Hijra Canal in the city from morning to noon on Thursday. Later, the state minister addressed an emergency meeting in the conference room of the city corporation.
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The State Minister said, “After raising the matter in the Parliament, the Prime Minister instructed me to come to Chittagong quickly and coordinate with the relevant organizations to solve the problem.” I have visited different areas of the city since last Wednesday night. As presented in social media and some media, I have not seen such a terrible flood in reality.
Mir Shahe Alam said, if there is a sudden heavy rain of 80 to 90 mm, naturally it takes some time for the water to move. It cannot be called waterlogging, it is temporary waterlogging. Out of the 36 canals in the city, water was accumulating in some areas due to the ongoing development of some canals. The flow of water was obstructed by returning walls and temporary obstructions.
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The state minister for local government claimed that the waterlogging situation in Chittagong has improved by 70 to 80 percent in 2025 compared to 2024. A permanent solution will be more visible when the ongoing project work is completed by December. The people of Chittagong will not have to return to the situation of 2024 in the next monsoon season. Humans have no control over natural disasters. However, canals, sluice gates and drainage systems are being developed as per expert designs. Normal rains will not cause flooding, although heavy downpours can cause several hours of waterlogging.
During the visit Chittagong City Mayor Shahadat Hossain said, “The City Corporation will work to stand by the small businessmen affected by the floods. In areas where ongoing projects have caused temporary waterlogging, we will talk to affected traders and try to cooperate. It will be possible to control the waterlogging by 70 to 80 percent in the next monsoon season.
The government has formed a coordination committee of 19 members to solve the long-standing waterlogging problem of Chittagong city. An office order issued by the Local Government Department of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives informed about the formation of this committee this afternoon. The mayor of Chittagong City Corporation has been made the convener and the chief executive officer as member secretary in the committee.
According to the order, the committee will coordinate between various organizations to keep canals and drainage system of Chittagong city running. At the same time, it will monitor the progress of important development and service works related to public interest including waterlogging.
As mentioned in the terms of reference of the committee, the function of the committee is to keep the canals and drainage system of the city functioning throughout the year and to supervise the ongoing projects to reduce flooding. Besides, they will coordinate the important works of public interest. If necessary, the committee will take up and monitor the implementation of new projects quickly. Progress of work will be reviewed through regular meetings. If necessary, it will make recommendations to the government and can also involve representatives of other departments.
Brigade Commander of 34 Engineer Brigade of Bangladesh Army, Managing Director of Chittagong WASA, Additional Divisional Commissioner (Development), Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong, Deputy Secretary of City Corporation-1 Branch of Local Government Department and Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) of Chittagong City Police have been placed as members in the committee.
Apart from this, the members are the project director of 34 engineer brigade waterlogging project, member (engineering) of Chittagong development authority, secretary of Chittagong city corporation, chief engineer and chief cleaning officer, chief hydrographer of Chittagong port authority and additional chief engineer of Chittagong power development board.
Among the other members of the committee are Chittagong Development Authority’s flood control project director, Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited’s general manager, Chittagong Water Development Department’s flood control, waterlogging and drainage improvement project project director and Chittagong City Corporation’s canal and drainage expert Shahriar Khaled.
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