Moulvibazar’s Roads Plagued by Chronic Flooding

Residents and commuters in Moulvibazar Sadar are once again facing severe disruption as the alternative Sylhet–Dhaka highway at Sherpur Bazar’s Muktijoddha Chottor becomes waterlogged following even light rainfall. Both sides of the road frequently accumulate water, rendering it virtually impassable. Despite the persistence of this problem for years, no permanent solution has been implemented. Locals are forced to navigate the flooded area using makeshift wooden planks.

Causes of Flooding

According to pedestrians and area residents, the flooding is primarily caused by unplanned drainage systems and haphazard construction of markets and shops around the Chottor. Even minor rainfall leads to water pooling over large stretches of the highway. The onset of the monsoon season exacerbates the situation, causing severe inconvenience to the public and damaging parts of the highway constructed at a cost running into millions of Bangladeshi takas.

The Sylhet–Dhaka bypass highway was completed towards the end of 2004. At that time, drainage systems were installed at Muktijoddha Chottor to channel rainwater into adjacent canals. However, the low-lying areas of the Chottor prevent natural drainage, and the proliferation of unplanned markets, businesses, and floating shops has rendered the system ineffective.

Encroachment and Poor Waste Management

On the southern side of the Chottor, footpaths built along regional and bypass roads have been broken or obstructed by vehicles parked by transport workers. Meanwhile, small-scale vendors, hotel owners, and other businesses contribute to blocked drainage by dumping garbage indiscriminately. Pedestrian Goush Mia explained that even light rainfall causes serious disruption, and with the Eid season underway, both women and men, as well as children, are experiencing extreme difficulty in commuting. Locals have resorted to laying wooden planks and concrete blocks to traverse the flooded road.

Jahangir Khan, manager of the Sherpur Bus Stand under the Sylhet Mini Bus Owners’ Association, highlighted that the chronic waterlogging in Muktijoddha Chottor is a direct result of poor drainage planning. Sherpur Bazar acts as a transit hub for commuters from three to four upazilas across four districts in the Sylhet division, with a mix of local, long-distance, and heavy vehicles passing through daily. Khan suggested that constructing a proper terminal in Sherpur Bazar could significantly relieve congestion and waterlogging in the Chottor.

Local businessman Syed Liakat Ali, owner of Syed Siddiq Ali Market at Muktijoddha Chottor, added that last year, authorities had helped improve drainage with project management support for a single-lane highway scheme. Yet, the area remains vulnerable this year, leaving residents and traders in distress.

Kaizar Hamid, Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) in Moulvibazar, stated that the problematic section of Sherpur Bazar has been included in the Sylhet–Dhaka Corridor Road Development Project. The responsible authorities are aware of the drainage issues and will be instructed to take corrective measures under the corridor project.

Flooding Impact Overview

Residents hope that the planned interventions under the corridor project will finally provide a lasting solution to the recurring flooding and ease their daily commute.