A bridge over the Sheetal Jharna canal near Starship area on the Oxygen 2 No. Gate road in Chattogram has partially collapsed following overnight heavy rainfall, disrupting traffic flow on one side of the road.
The bridge was damaged late Wednesday night (August 6) as water pressure from continuous rain eroded its foundation. By early Thursday morning, soil from both sides of the bridge had washed away, causing the road to split and become hazardous.
On-site observations revealed that vehicles are now navigating the road with extreme caution, using only one side. Authorities have cordoned off the damaged section with red tape to prevent accidents.
Shamsul Alam, Sub-Inspector of Bayezid Police Station, told media that police patrols have been deployed to manage the situation and ensure public safety. He confirmed that traffic congestion has worsened due to the partial road closure.
As a result of the road damage, long traffic jams have formed on both sides of the Oxygen 2 No. Gate road. Additionally, train services on the shuttle and Nazirhat routes have been disrupted.
The bridge, originally built in 1980, had become increasingly vulnerable due to recent canal widening works under a waterlogging mitigation project. Chattogram City Corporation has since announced plans to repair the structure.
Meanwhile, the Chattogram Met Office in Ambagan reported 81 mm of rainfall in the city over the past 24 hours (until 9 a.m. Thursday), while the Patenga station recorded 32 mm. According to forecast officer Mahmudul Hasan, heavy rainfall is expected to continue over the next 24 hours.
Several low-lying areas across the city experienced waterlogging due to the downpour, causing significant inconvenience for office-goers and students. With fewer vehicles on the road, many city dwellers were seen stranded at intersections, waiting for transport.
