Continuous rainfall has submerged the road in front of Dhaka’s New Market, causing significant disruption. Water has entered several markets, preventing many shopkeepers from opening their stores. With streets waterlogged and walking difficult, people are being forced to take rickshaws and pay extra fares.
A visit to the New Market area on Saturday morning (May 30) revealed the extent of the situation.
Although water had accumulated in front of Gate 1 of New Market since morning, it gradually receded throughout the day. However, knee-deep water remained on the road in front of the Nurjahan Shopping Complex on Mirpur Road. Several shopkeepers were unable to open their ground-floor stores due to the flooding.
The continuous rainfall has caused considerable suffering for the general public. Anticipating bad weather, most people stepped out with umbrellas.
Azgar, a shopkeeper at New Market, said, “Water has risen in front of my shop. There’s no way to open it now. I’m waiting — if the water recedes, I’ll open the shop. But it looks like more rain is coming.”
Due to the downpour, roadside footpath stalls also remained closed. A few hawkers were seen in the area, but they too were unable to operate because of the rain.
Rubel Mia, a hawker, said, “We’re in trouble because of the rain. I haven’t been able to set up my stall since yesterday. Sales usually increase before Eid, but that’s not happening now.”