The heavy rainfall this season has left vast areas of the country's major cities—including the capital, Dhaka, and Chattogram—underwater in an unprecedented manner.
Waterlogging has become an all-too-familiar reality for urban residents during every monsoon, but this year's situation has surpassed even that recurring hardship.
In many places, people remained stranded for hours in waist-deep water, transportation came to a standstill, and business, education, healthcare, and virtually every aspect of daily life were paralyzed.
Many of those forced to spend sleepless nights in flooded homes told the media that they had never witnessed such severe waterlogging in recent memory.
They have rightly asked: every monsoon, heavy rainfall or floodwaters disrupt normal life and even claim lives—who should be held accountable for this recurring misery?
Regarding the causes of the ongoing waterlogging, the administrator of the Dhaka North City Corporation stated that polythene is one of the primary culprits. There is little reason to dismiss this claim.
Our cities have effectively become dumping grounds for non-biodegradable plastic and polythene waste. Drains, canals, and water bodies have been clogged with garbage, blocking the natural flow of water.
This problem is compounded by the lack of regular drain cleaning and proper maintenance. As a result, even moderate rainfall quickly turns into a major urban disaster.
Environmental experts have long warned that waterlogging is not merely the result of infrastructural failure; it is also a consequence of irresponsible civic behavior and a lack of environmental awareness.
It is worth mentioning that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recently spoke about a simple yet deeply meaningful habit during one of his speeches. He said that since childhood, he has made it a practice to throw used tissues into a dustbin.
The cleanliness of a nation often begins with such small habits. In countries like Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, a strong sense of civic responsibility has been one of the foundations of maintaining clean cities.
There, strict enforcement of laws is complemented by self-discipline among citizens. If every person in our country similarly develops the habit of disposing of used polythene bags, plastic bottles, and other waste in designated bins, meaningful change is certainly possible.
However, the responsibility does not rest solely with citizens. The drainage systems of Dhaka and other major cities have long suffered from poor management, lack of coordination, and inadequate maintenance.
Every monsoon, reports emerge of people losing their lives after falling into uncovered manholes or being electrocuted by floodwater carrying live electricity.
Yet instead of determining responsibility and taking corrective action, the relevant agencies are often seen shifting blame onto one another.
This is not the hallmark of a civilized state. It must be remembered that the efficiency of a city's drainage system is one of the key indicators of its level of development.
The urban planning and drainage system of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization continue to inspire admiration even today. If people thousands of years ago were capable of constructing well-planned drainage networks, why should we, in this age of modern technology, fail to ensure such a basic necessity?
The message from concerned citizens and environmental experts is clear: development that stands in opposition to nature can never be sustainable.
By indiscriminately cutting down trees, filling up canals and wetlands, polluting the environment with plastic waste, and neglecting proper waste management, we are ultimately creating dangers for ourselves.
Today's waterlogging, tomorrow's severe heatwave, and the next day's unexpected flood are, to a significant extent, the consequences of our own short-sighted actions.
As this editorial has often emphasized, Earth is our only home; there is no "Planet B" or "Planet C." Therefore, protecting the environment is, in essence, protecting our own lives and our future.
This season's heavy rainfall, the severe waterlogging across urban areas, and the prolonged flooding in various parts of the country should serve as a serious warning. Now is the time to learn from this crisis.
The government must modernize and strengthen the drainage system, while also freeing rivers, canals, and wetlands from encroachment and pollution. At the same time, citizens must adopt environmentally responsible habits in their everyday lives.
Let change begin with something as simple as disposing of used tissues, polythene bags, and other waste in a proper dustbin. Such small acts of environmental responsibility are the first steps toward preventing much larger disasters in the future.
In addition, if waterlogging is to be effectively addressed, drainage and other essential urban services must be brought under the authority of a single coordinating agency. Otherwise, disorder and administrative inefficiency will continue to persist.