NATIONAL
Dhaka submerged after heavy rain; many schools, universities & offices move online
Heavy monsoon rain floods Dhaka and seven districts, disrupting transport as schools and private universities shift online amid worsening floods in Chattogram and Sylhet.
FATEMA BISWAS
Collected
BIONIC READING
In a Nutshell:
- Dhaka recorded 76mm of rain between midnight and 6am on 12 July, its highest six-hour total this month, as flooding continues in Chattogram.
- Commuters nationwide faced disruption, from Dhaka's stalled Elevated Expressway traffic to flood-hit residents in Chattogram and Sylhet, the worst-affected divisions.
- A week-long active monsoon has flooded seven districts across the country, with Chattogram and Sylhet bearing the heaviest impact.
Why it Matters
This is more than a single rainy day in Dhaka. The same weather system is flooding several districts at once, putting pressure on the whole country, not just the capital.
- Officials say the rain is caused by an active monsoon and a low-pressure area at sea, meaning this is a wider weather pattern, not a one-time downpour.
- Seven districts are already flooded, with Chattogram and Sylhet worst affected, showing the impact has spread well beyond Dhaka's traffic problems.
- Forecasters expect more heavy rain in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Chattogram before it eases, so disruption and flood risks may continue in the coming days.
Who it matters to
The impact of this weather system reaches far beyond commuters stuck in traffic. It touches ordinary residents, city authorities, and entire flood-hit communities.
- Office-goers and students face longer travel times, submerged roads and rising transport costs, disrupting daily routines across the capital.
- Near-standstill traffic on major roads, including the Elevated Expressway, points to added pressure on drainage systems and traffic management during heavy rain.
- Private universities have shifted classes online, while no official government directive has been issued for public schools or offices, leaving students and government workers uncertain.