Police rely on boats in waterlogged Chittagong

Chittagong city has been grappling with heavy rains for five consecutive days, resulting in extensive waterlogging across the region. Despite the challenging circumstances, the police are actively engaged in their duties amid the flood situation.

The waterlogging has caused widespread damage, affecting both residential and commercial areas.

The Police Lines in Chittagong District Police, situated near Chhotapul in the city, have been particularly impacted, with water levels reaching waist height. The incessant rains have disrupted normal activities, prompting the Police Lines to arrange for boats to navigate through the submerged area.

In response to inquiries, District Police Public Relations Officer ADC Abu Taib Md Arif Hossain informed Dhaka Tribune that the boats were deployed on Sunday night. The provision of the boats ensures uninterrupted public service and normal police operations, even during rain and in the waterlogged conditions.

Chandgaon police station under the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) has also been severely affected by waterlogging. The lower floor of the police station had to be abandoned, and operations were shifted to the upper floor.

Service seekers at Chandgaon police station have faced considerable hardship due to the inundation. One individual, Manowar Hossain, shared his experience of visiting the station to report a lost mobile phone for his brother.

He said he was reluctant to enter the waterlogged premises and instead sent his brother to handle the matter.

When contacted, Khairul Islam, officer-in-charge of Chandgaon police station said: “The regular work of the police station is continuing. However, downstairs the place is knee-deep in water. For this reason, we brought everything from the lower floor to the second floor. There may be natural calamities, but we continue to provide services to the people despite these obstacles.'

In July 2017, the Chittagong Taxes Zone-4 office in Agrabad had procured a boat to transport its employees in a desperate attempt to seek a way out of the perennial waterlogging problem. Later the same month, the office of the superintendent of Chittagong district police followed the tax office’s lead and procured a boat to ferry staff across the waterlogged city.