Just 30 minutes of uninterrupted rainfall combined with simultaneous political demonstrations brought traffic to a halt across Dhaka on Thursday, causing severe hardship for commuters and residents.
Supporters of BNP leader Ishraq Hossain staged sit-in protests at key city locations including Nagar Bhaban, High Court intersection, Matsya Bhaban, and Kakrail from 10 a.m., demanding his immediate swearing-in as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. Traffic in these areas was nearly paralyzed.
Meanwhile, activists of the Nationalist Chhatra Dal occupied Shahbagh intersection and the area in front of Hotel Intercontinental, protesting delays in the trial of their leader Samyar’s murder. These actions further intensified gridlock across the city.
Simultaneously, sudden heavy rainfall flooded numerous areas, including Dhanmondi, New Market, Science Lab, and Bata Signal, with knee-deep water. Water even entered shopping malls, worsening the situation. Public transport was brought to a standstill, with buses abandoning routes and passengers stranded.
A bus driver reported being stuck in the same spot for over an hour, and a frustrated businessman shared that he was unable to move from Matsya Bhaban on his motorcycle despite urgent work in Motijheel.
Traffic data from Google Maps and Facebook’s Traffic Alert Group showed widespread congestion spreading across Moghbazar, Karwanbazar, Panthapath, Airport Road, Khilgaon, Malibagh, Rampura, Hatirjheel, and Mohakhali, turning the city’s roads into a massive snarl of frustration and chaos.
