It had been raining since early morning. The sky was cloudy all night. Ashar, the third month of the Bengali calendar, is coming to an end. It's the monsoon season, and this is how it is supposed to be now. The sky will suddenly become overcast, and the rain will pour down in a steady stream—sometimes intermittently, sometimes continuously. Meteorologists had predicted heavy rainfall during this year's monsoon. Climate change is now the biggest problem on Earth. The weather we left behind and the climate we grew up in, no longer exists. In cold countries, there are intense heat waves. Winter is getting colder compared to before. Icebergs are melting in Antarctica. Forests in America are burning due to wildfires. Nature has gone topsy-turvy. Many things have changed.

This summer was extremely hot. People were struggling to cope, and the wildlife was distressed. Meteorologists had predicted heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, and that's exactly what happened a few days ago. It started raining early in the morning and still hadn't stopped by ten or eleven o'clock. The sky remained dark. The Bashundhara residential area was enveloped in a shady environment. I woke up a bit late. It was still raining moderately. By noon, I was stunned after watching the television and online news. Many areas of Dhaka city were submerged in rainwater. Water had risen to the level of rickshaw footboards. Bus wheels were submerged. Private cars were underwater, with only their roofs visible. Shops in the New Market and Katabon areas were waist-deep in water. Small and medium-sized business owners were in a severe crisis. They couldn't protect their goods. Everything was washed away by the rain. Losses amounted to billions of taka.

Almost all of Dhaka’s canals are filled in. They are occupied. Everything is in the canals, except water. There is no water flow. Each canal has turned into a garbage dump. We see the honourable mayors frequently conducting canal recovery operations. They free one or two canals from occupation. After that, there’s no further development. They get occupied again as before.

Another great enemy is polythene. This substance is indestructible. Polythene alone is undermining many achievements. It is essential for people at every level of society to be aware of this issue. The country must be saved from the grip of polythene. Alternative solutions to polythene need to be employed. In this regard, it is crucial for the government and media to work together to raise public awareness. When people become aware, society becomes refined.

For the past thirty to thirty-five years, Bashundhara Residential Area has gradually developed. Now Bashundhara is the most elite area in Dhaka. The most attractive area too. If someone has a flat or a piece of land in Bashundhara, they feel very proud. There is no other well-organised residential area in Dhaka like Bashundhara. The area has been planned entirely like the ultra-modern residential towns adjacent to the densely populated cities of Europe and America. Well-planned and well-managed with wide roads. The roadsides and islands are filled with green trees and plants. Each house is built following the building code of RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha). Additionally, Bashundhara's strict supervision ensures that not a single brick is placed outside the rules. Not a single leaf from a tree can be torn.

On the other hand, there is strict security in the area. Not just men, but women and children can also go out late at night if they want. Forget about being disturbed; no one would even dare to look at them. Security personnel in vehicles patrol 24/7. Bashundhara is a completely different world within Dhaka: A dreamland. This has been possible due to its careful planning, strict implementation, and enforcement.

A few years ago, some areas of Bashundhara would get waterlogged during the monsoon rains. The authorities took action on this issue. Through far-reaching modern planning and management, they quickly resolved the problem. They established a state-of-the-art drainage system. Now, no matter how much it rains, there is no waterlogging in Bashundhara. Due to the robust drainage system, rainwater cannot stand for even a minute. There is also proper supervision of the area's drains. Many workers are employed for cleanliness.

The reason for discussing Bashundhara Residential Area is to draw the attention of the mayors of the two city corporations of Dhaka. By emulating Bashundhara's drainage system, they can easily alleviate a significant portion of the waterlogging problem in Dhaka caused by sudden rain. They can save people from suffering and protect businesses from loss. They can ensure the smooth movement of students and pedestrians and safeguard homeowners who become vulnerable during sudden downpours. They can provide the opportunity for the residents of this city to live comfortably. This falls squarely within their responsibilities, and I hope they will give due consideration to this matter. The Bashundhara Residential Area is right in front of their eyes as an example.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan