Journal of Science and Technology, 6(1 & 2): 11-20, December 2016

EFFECT OF WATER LOGGING IN TANGAIL PAURASHAVA

MAHMUDA BINTE LATIF*, MD. ARIFUJJAMAN,
MD. ZOBAYER SIDDICK and MD. ELIAS HOSEN

Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management, Mawlana Bhashani

Science and Technology University, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh

Abstract
The study attempts to show the present condition of water logging, causes and effects of
water logging in Tangail paurashava. Out of 18, 8 wards were most vulnerable among
them in ward 18, 90% people were affected by water logging. The drainage condition of
the study area was not good and sufficient. In ward 13 and 15 where 90% and 85%
people were affected by stagnant water. The data for the study area were collected from
primary and secondary sources. The result of the study showed that major causes of water
logging in study area were poor drainage system, heavy rainfall, low land and poor waste
management system. Of these 40% respondent claimed heavy rainfall as a cause of water
logging in Palpara (ward 7) and West Akurtakur para (ward 3) and 70% respondent claimed
poor drainage system as a cause of water logging in Sabalia (ward 18) and Thanapara (ward
13). 60% respondent said that communication problem occurred in College para (W. 6)
and Babystand (W. 11), 30% said that sanitation problem created in Biswasbetka (W.
15), 20% said that diseases occurred in Palpara (W. 7), and 50% said that mosquito
problem created in Adalat para (W. 14) by water logging. This water logging became a
burden for the inhabitants of Tangail paurashava and created adverse social, physical,
economic and environmental impacts.

Keywords: Water logging, drainage system and vulnerability.

Introduction
Bangladesh is experiencing environmental degradation due to rapid urbanization, increase
in population and industrialization. The process of urbanization is linked with the
economic development, which makes an increasingly higher contribution to the national
economy. However, when the growth of urban population takes place at an
exceptionally rapid rate, most cities and towns are unable to cope with changing
situations due to their internal resources constraints and management limitations (Bari
and Hasan, 2001). Provision of infrastructure services viz., water; drainage and
sanitation along with waste disposal are greatest concern to human settlements. Failure
to provide these services adequately results in many of well-known costs of rapid
urbanization: threats to health, loss of urban productivity and environmental quality.

*
Corresponding author: mahmudambstu@gmail.com
12 Latif et al.

For the rapid growth of urbanization a lot water logging in Tangail paurashava is not a new
problem but the frequency of this problem of urban disasters are occurring day by day.
Among these water logging problem is one of them is increasing day by day. Flooding due
to rainfall is also a severe problem for Tangail paurashava that is inundated for several
days. There are several places inundated due to flooding in many days which causes a lot
of problems such as environmental degradation, sanitation, problem of traffic movement,
mosquito, diseases etc to the inhabitants of town. The present study explores the water
logging problems of a municipality in Bangladesh considering Tangail paurashava as a
case. The study was conducted to observe the water logging situation and identify the
most vulnerable place of the study area and to ascertain the causes and effects of water
logging in Tangail Paurashava.

Materials and Methods

Study area
Tangail Paurashava was selected for the study area as a case due to its condition and
development characteristics. The area is located within latitude of 242596 N and
longitude of 899254 E. It was established in 1 July, 1987 with 5 wards. Then the
paurashava re-established with 18 wards in 1999 with an area of 29.42 km2 is bounded by
Kalihati upazila on the north, Nagarpur and Delduar upazilas on the South, Basail upazila
on the east, Belkuchi and Chauhali upazilas on the west (Banglapedia, 2009-10). The
climate of the studied area is moderate. Out of 18, 8 wards of Tangail paurashva were
affected severely by water logging. Following map has shown the study area (Fig. 1).
All of these wards were not equally affected by water logging. Some wards were most
vulnerable and some were lower vulnerable than other wards. Average 70% people were
affected by water logging. At Sabalia and Kodalia (18), 90% people were vulnerable by
water logging. Lowest vulnerable position was Pal para (7) where 50% people were
affected by water logging (Table 1).

Table 1. Vulnerable wards of Tangail paurashava due to water logging.

Ward no. Areas Vulnerable (%) Not vulnerable (%)

3 West Akur takur para 70 30
6 College para 70 30
7 Pal para 50 50
11 Babystand 70 30
13 Thana para, Tangail moholla 80 20
14 Adalat para 75 25
15 Biswas betka 60 40
18 Sabalia, kodalia 90 10
Effect of Water Logging in Tangail Paurashava 13

Study Area

Fig. 1. Map showing the study area of Tangail paurashava (Source: Tangail paurashava, 2013)

Data collection
To fulfill the objective of the study both primary and secondary data were needed.
Primary data were collected through observation, physical surveys, interviews, and pre-
test questionnaire. This research required a substantial amount of primary data collection
through physical surveys. Mainly this study was based on quantitative and qualitative
data.

To find out inherent causes of water logging in Tangail paurashava and its associate
impact on city life, a field survey as questionnaire survey, informal interview and open
discussion was conducted with the authorities of different concerned organizations,
experts and people living in different wards of Tangail paurashava. The questionnaire
was designed in such a way that it would track down the problem from the inception and
the impact of the water logging in the locality. Out of 18, 8 wards were selected as study
14 Latif et al.

area or water logging prone area. The number of respondents was randomly selected
(100) on the basis of severity of water logging in different wards with different categories
which were: ward no. (3, 6, 7, 11, 15 and 18) were 60; and ward no. (13 and 14) was 40.
Informal interview of official experts of different development agencies was also taken in
order to know their view of causes and effects of water logging in Tangail paurashava
and sustainable solutions. Secondary data were obtained from relevant studies, reports,
journals, newspapers and other government and non-government sources. Internets were
another vital source of secondary data used in this report. For the purpose of the present
study, several types of maps, rainfall data, the storm water drainage system data, solid
waste and other waste dumping data and other related data were collected from the
Tangail Paurashava office and related department and organizations. Lots of photographs
were also collected directly from field survey and daily newspapers to illustrate the
situation of water logging.
Data analysis and presentation
The data were analyzed by using Geographic Information System (GIS) like Arc/info,
Arc/view etc. and other statistical computer software like, Microsoft Excel, etc. Finally
the analyzed data were integrated and presented as maps, tables, and graphs and putted in
the research.

Results and Discussion

Water logging pattern was mainly two types depending upon the area. According to field
survey, average 59.38, 31.88 and 8.75% people faced water logging problem respectively
by stagnant water, running water and others. Most vulnerable ward was 13 no. and 15 no.
where 90 and 85% people were affected by stagnant water. 50% people of ward no. 6, 11
and 14 was faced by running water (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. Water logging pattern of Tangail paurashava.

Effect of Water Logging in Tangail Paurashava 15

According to respondent’s opinion, in Sabalia (ward no.18) 60% claimed that water
logging remained for 5 days because of low land and poor drainage system. 50%
respondent said that logged water remained in Thana para (Ward 13) for 15 days because
of poor drainage system and 20% people of ward no 3, 7 and 15 said that logged water
remained for 10 days in the study area (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. Duration of water logging in Tangail paurashava.

Causes of water logging in Tangail Paurashava

According to survey, poor drainage system was the major causes for water logging of
Tangail paurashava. Average 53.75% respondent was claimed that poor drainage system was
the major causes of water logging in Tangail paurashava. Heavy rainfall, low land and some
others also responsible for water logging that claimed respondent. 40% respondent claimed
heavy rainfall as a cause of water logging in Palpara and West Akurtakur para and 70%
respondent claimed poor drainage system as a cause of water logging in Sabalia (ward 18)
and Thanapara (ward 13).

Fig. 4. Causes of water logging in Tangail paurashava.

16 Latif et al.

Other causes of water logging in study area

Water from Tangail paurashava is drained out through the drainage system into the Lohojong
river which situated western part of Tangail paurashava. There is another channel behind the
Victoria road, Nirala moor which linked with the Lohojong River through Park bazar. But
uncontrolled and haphazard disposal of solid wastes and garbage into the existing drainage
system, and encroachment on lakes, khals/canals and rivers with unauthorized construction
were responsible for disappearing the natural drainage system in this paurashava. The total
length of drain in Tangail Paurashava was about 84.03 km. Some were pucca and some were
kaccha. The pucca drain was about 59.20 km and kaccha was about 24.83 km which was very
insufficient in the study area (Tangail paurashava, 2013).

Fig. 5. Drainage condition of Tangail paurashava.

According to survey, average 18.75% respondent claimed that the area was contained
with high quality of drainage system, 45% said medium and 36.25% said very low
quality drainage system of Tangail paurashava. 60% respondent said that west Akurtakur
para was covered with high quality of drainage system (Fig. 6). In this area some new
drains had been added to remove water logging. Respondent had claimed that drains were
good but not sufficient.

Fig. 6. Sources of urban waste in Tangail paurashava.

Effect of Water Logging in Tangail Paurashava 17

The major sources of solid waste in Tangail paurashava were residences, streets, market
places, commercial establishment, and hospitals. Maximum of these waste were dumped
into the open space and directly into the drain which caused water logging. According to
survey average 36.25% household, average13.12% industrial and average 23.75% others
wastes were produced every day in study area. (Fig. 6)

Encroachment
Most of drains of Tangail Paurashava disappeared or are in way to lose their existence due
to illegal encroachment on the rivers and khals/drains through unauthorized
construction and solid waste.
Development work during rainy season
Development works like construction of roads, sewerages, underground telephone and
electricity lines etc. created unwanted obstacles into the drainage networks and
hampered the smooth flow of storm water, therefore created water logging in the city
area.
Lack of policy guidelines and its implementation
Lack of regulation; weakness in the existing regulations for development control, waste
disposal, encroachment; negligence of the authorities for its implementation were
responsible for water logging in Tangail Paurashava.
Effects of water logging in Tangail paurashava
Water logging became a burden for the inhabitants of the city, leading to and creating
adverse social, physical, economical as well as environmental impacts. According to field
survey 2013, average 41.25% respondent was claimed that water logging created the
communication problem.

Fig. 7. Problems of water logging in Tangail Paurashava.

18 Latif et al.

Sanitation 13.75%, diseases 10.62%, mosquito 19.37%, and others 13.75% were
responsible for water logging according to respondent. 60% respondent said that water
logging occurred communication problem in College para and Babystand, 30% said that
it occurred sanitation problem in Biswasbetka, 20% said diseases problem in Palpara, and
50% said mosquito problem in Adalat para.

Other problems of water logging

The associated other problems due to water logging and its chain effects on human life
are as follows:
Disruption of traffic movement and normal life
According to survey (Fig. 8) average 30.63% men, 27.5% women, 24.38% children,
17.5% others were affected by water logging. Most vulnerable group was men (40%) in
Biswasbetka, Palpara and Adalat para, in Sabalia 50% was women and in Biswasbetka
40% was children who were affected by water logging.

Fig. 8. Vulnerable group of water logging.

Damage of infrastructure

Respondent mentioned that metalloid pipes of various underground utility services such
as water, telephone, sewerage etc. were damaged and they lost their longevity due to
water logging in study area.

Water pollution
Lakes, rivers, canals were polluted by logged water in study area. Different survey
reports in different periods shows that the water of lakes and rivers (Lohojong,
Dhaleshwari rivers-the receiving water bodies of storm water) flowing in and around the
Tangail Paurashava was completely polluted.
Effect of Water Logging in Tangail Paurashava 19

Conclusion

Tangail paurashava is one of the most densely populated towns in Bangladesh. In recent
years Tangail paurashava is facing extensive water logging during the monsoon (May to
October) as a common and regular problem of the town. Two types of water logging were
occurred by running and stagnant water in this area. Major causes of water logging in
study area were poor drainage system, heavy rainfall, low land and poor waste
management system. Of these 40% respondent claimed that heavy rainfall as a cause of
water logging in Palpara (ward 7) and West Akurtakur para (ward 3) and 70% respondent
claimed poor drainage system as a cause of water logging in Sabalia (ward 18) and Thana
para (ward 13). 60% respondent said that communication problem occurred in College
para (W. 6) and Babystand (W. 11), 30% said that sanitation problem created in
Biswasbetka (W. 15), 20% said that diseases occurred in Palpara (W. 7), and 50% said
that mosquito problem created in Adalat para (W. 14) by water logging. Some important
measures can help the authorities for comprehensive management of water logging and
minimize the suffering of the town dwellers through development control, comprehensive
drainage development plan, establish ‘Right of Way’, improvement of drainage
management system, awareness development against blocking of drains.

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