Analysis of Water logging problem

and its impact in Khulna city of

Bangladesh

Lupsana Akter lata

Urban and Rural Planning discipline,
Khulna University
Khulna

Student id :180445
 Analysis of Water logging problem and its impact in Khulna city of Bangladesh

Abstract
Waterlogging in the southwest of Bangladesh is one of the main environmental and socioeconomic
issue. Khulna city was chosen as the area for this research paper in order to identify causes for
waterlogging and impacts of this issue. Main causes of water logging are maintenance of drainage
systems, unplanned and inadequate drainage system, excessive rainfall, absence of natural
drainage system, filling up the ponds and ditches, land use changes Siltation. The Khulna city
residents are afflicted by this water logging, which has negative social, physical, economic, and
environmental effects. The repercussions of water logging on city life include disruptions to
transportation and daily life, harm to buildings and infrastructure, destruction of flora and aquatic
ecosystems, and loss of revenue opportunities.

Keywords: Waterlogging, impact, Khulna city

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Table of Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1

Background ................................................................................................................................. 1

Objectives of this study ............................................................................................................... 1

Literature review ............................................................................................................................. 2

Method and materials ...................................................................................................................... 4

Research method ......................................................................................................................... 4

Study area .................................................................................................................................... 4

Analysis........................................................................................................................................... 5

Causes of water logging .............................................................................................................. 5

Impact of water logging issues .................................................................................................... 6

Probable Solutions for solving the problems .................................................................................. 7

References ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Introduction
Background
The third-largest metropolitan area in Bangladesh is Khulna which has 1.4 million residents and it
is situated on the banks of the rivers Rupsha and Bhairab. Khulna is one of the major coastal cities
in Bangladesh. Khulna City is particularly susceptible to climate change because of the impact of
the Bay of Bengal tides. Water logging is regarded as a natural catastrophe, much like a flood
caused by rain. These risks have a detrimental effect on the economy that is both long-lasting and
widespread. Since there is a significant input of water from catchments outside the nation during
this time, Bangladesh experiences about 80% of its annual rainfall between the months of June
through September. Drainage is consequently hampered. When the nearby river cannot drain
rapidly, high intensity and protracted rainfall contribute to local floods. Khulna city receives
roughly 2,400 mm of precipitation annually. In the northwest, it is at a low of 1,200 mm, while in
the northeast, it is about 6,000 mm (Nizamuddin, 2001). Most often in the latter monsoon, city
inhabitants experience the issue. The city of Khulna is not subject to monsoon flooding or flash
floods. The Bhairab-Rupsha River's west bank is where the city's central area is located. It takes
very little discharge from the upstream to overflow the embankment in this area. According to
Environmental maps and workbook for Khulna city, the city faces above the average high tide.
The Bhairab River and Fultala Thana, the Rupsha River in the east, the Rupsha River in the south,
and the Dumuria Thana in the west are the boundaries of Khulna City. The city has been expanding
along a straight line that follows the Bhairab-Rupsha course. The Bhairab, which rises in the
Kobadak and runs south, converges with the Atai between Daulatpur and the Atharabanki close to
Kotwali. Currently, the main city is located on the Bhairab-Rupsha course's west bank. It serves
as the main natural drainage system in this city. So, city has ongoing issues with drainage
congestion, water logging and waste water is directed to nearby rivers and peri-urban areas.

Objectives of this study

To describe the water logging issue.
To determine the causes of water logging in Khulna city
To evaluate the impact of water logging issue in Khulna city
To give some probable solution for reducing this issue

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Literature review
Following reviews, I found from different literation.

In a study, In Khulna city, the real estate industry and private developers are being encouraged to
acquire and expand on wetlands, low lands, water bodies, and natural drainage systems for
housing, roads, and commercial activities due to the city's rapid population increase and growing
demand for housing. Unexpected water logging is being caused by these activities, which are
destroying the natural drainage pattern and flood retention regions. Unplanned development is
responsible for water logging problem in Khulna city. According to author in 1999, it was
estimated that wards no. 10, 14, 21, 22, 27, 30 and 31 were the most afflicted, in 2007 the most
affected wards are those with the following numbers: 1, 5, 6, 14, 15, 20, 21, 23, 27 and 30. The
amount of water logging and its affected areas are rising continuously. Every year during the
monsoon, severe water logging in the city results from unplanned, rapid urbanization that has filled
up, blocked, and encroached on the majority of storm water drainage systems. This has a
significant negative impact on social, physical, economic, and environmental consequences.
(Rahman et al., 2009)

According to Ilias Mahmud, Because of monsoon rainfall, local geologic conditions, poor
management, and climate change, the southwestern region of Bangladesh, particularly Khulna is
vulnerable to waterlogging. Planning and implementing mitigation actions for the best use of the
land and water resources that are now available for sustainable development in irrigation and other
sectors depends critically on the accurate evaluation of waterlogged regions. To examine the
distribution of waterlogged areas both temporally and spatially and to gauge seasonal variations,
Author used satellite pictures were in this study for analyzing. Author mention in his study,
Therefore, in order to identify potential mitigation strategies, in-depth investigation is needed to
assess the effects of waterlogging on agricultural output, soil fertility, biodiversity, and the water
and sanitation system in Bangladesh's southwestern coastal districts. Moreover, base raising and
elevating local habitats and physical infrastructures, excavating silted-up rivers and cannels, and
operation of Tidal River Management (TRM) may be considered as long-term or permanent
solutions to minimize waterlogging problem. (Mahmud et al., 2017)

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determine the current condition of the drainage system, the level of waterlogging, and the reasons
of waterlogging based on public perception. Additionally, this study identifies five factors as the
main reason given by the consumers (solid waste disposal into the drainage, absence of an
operation and maintenance system, small discharge capacity with blocked current drains,
nonappearance of a combined drainage network of roadside drains, unplanned drainage system).
Additionally, the study identifies the lack of an operation and maintenance system, the disposal of
solid waste into the drainage system, and drainage system as the factors impacting the low
discharge capacity and blockages in the existing drains. The future drainage improvement plan
needs to take into account these reasons in order to address the waterlogging issue. However, the
river is now all but dry. Waterlogging results from the monsoon season's ability to discharge water
into the river. The river's natural flow should be preserved. Additionally, the municipal drains
should be frequently savaged to prevent drain clogging. Strong waste management needs to be
managed properly so that water can flow successfully at the anticipated speed. The previous
drainage master plan should be properly implemented by the government, and the plan should use
a participatory method. (Sultana, n.d.,2021)

The study report is divided into two main sections, the first of which lists the reasons of water
logging and institutional backlogs among service providers. The second section also recommends
solutions for the entire KCC area as well as specific recommendations for the study area at the
moment. Ward 31 is currently experiencing a vulnerable extent of water logging. Due to the lack
of an effective drainage system and water discharge outlets, there are primarily three locations
identified as being prone to water logging: South Labonchara, North Labonchara (Mathavanga
village), and Mohammadia Para-Land conversion, poor sluice gate maintenance, haphazard
construction, a lack of laws and regulations, and the propensity for water bodies to fill with water
are some of the main causes of water logging in ward 31. Since there is no collaboration between
KCC, KDA, and KWASA, the water logging issue still exists. However, no procurement has ever
been done to address it. The improvement of the drainage system, the building of new drains, the
excavation of canals and water bodies, and the imposition of regulations for illegal land conversion
are some tentative suggestions that have been made. These suggestions will be supported by the

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institutional framework of joint authorities like KCC, KDA, KWASA, and NGOs. (M. H. Khan,
2017)

Method and materials

Research method
Qualitative methods are used in this research. The primary sources of this qualitative information
were collected from different journal articles, reports, books and newspaper etc. After analyzing
this paper, I tried to find out some the water logging issue in Khulna city and causes and impact
of this issue.
Study area
Khulna city is located at southern side of Bangladesh. The city is bonded by Rupsha River on east
and south side and by Bhairab River by north side. Geographically, Khulna city corporation area
is divided into 31 wards. It has a population of about 1.2 million with a growth rate of 4.5% per
annum (BBS,2011)

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 Figure 1: study area map (source: KCC)

Analysis
Causes of water logging
maintenance of drainage systems: sometime various particles like polyethenes, plastics and other
materials drop to drain and restrain the flow of water which decreases the drain capacity as the
drains are not maintained properly.

Unplanned and inadequate drainage system: In this city exists a short amount of drainage line.
Only 45%of the drains are well served where, 52%of drains are poorly served and 3% are in
vulnerable condition. (Rahman et al., 2009)

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Excessive rainfall: As the Khulna city is located beside the Bay of Bengal so it faces a huge
amount of rainfall especially in monsoon period. Also, the city faces around 72% of total rainfall
due to nor’easter effect. Average amount of rainfall in this month for last 30 years is 164mm. The
city faces prolonged precipitation in the period of monsoon with low intensity which creates water
logging problem in city especially. (Hussain et al., 2018)

Absence of natural drainage system: One of the main reasons of water logging is the absence of
the natural drainage system. The disappearance of natural drainage systems is primarily due to
uncontrolled and careless garbage disposal into the existing drainage system, rapid population
growth and unplanned land filling to create new residential areas, encroachment on khals or canals
and rivers with unauthorized construction, and rapid population growth. (Alam et al., 2017)

Filling up the ponds and ditches: Around 4.75% pond and ditches areas are filled up during last
20-year. As a result, there exist a shortage of storm water discharge place and this creates water
logging in many areas of Khulna(Sarkar et al., 2021).

Land use changes: With passing of time the land use pattern is changing. At 1990, most of the
land at the study area was used for agricultural purposes. Now a day, most of the lands of our study
area are used in commercial and residential purposes. Water logging has created a change in land
use in productive perspective. Consequently, it has created an impact on occupational and income
generations. General land use pattern, water body land information, homestead changes and land
information of the study areas have been presented. Land is the basic wants of human being. It is
basis of all economy.

Siltation: Most of the canals of Khulna city are now dead due to siltation. In rainy season, Rain
water carries out different construction materials like bricks, sands, and stones, leaves, household
wastes, street sweepings etc. that reduces the depth and runoff capacity of natural drainage and
creates favorable condition for water logging.

Impact of water logging issues

Disruption of traffic flow: One significant difficulty driven on by the existing water logging issue
is disruption of traffic flow. When it rains, regular traffic flow is impeded, resulting in traffic jams
and people losing crucial time.

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Damage of infrastructure: Damage to infrastructure is a result of water logging of the ground. It
harms roads (both pucca and katcha) every year during the wet season. various underground utility
services, such as water, telephone, sewerage, etc., are damaged and thus lose their lifetime.

Problems affecting the community: During the field survey, respondents noted a few issues
affecting the community that are being brought on by water logging. A list of issues affecting the
local community is provided here.

Water pollution: All the drains of Khulna city Corporation carry both type of water like storm
water and wastewater. So, in reality, storm water and domestic wastewater mix up with each other
which cause deterioration of the storm water discharges. These discharges in turn pollute the water
bodies including the lakes, rivers and detention areas

Increase in water-borne infections: The most detrimental effect of water logging in urban
environments is the occurrence and prevalence of numerous diseases. As it becomes more polluted
in many ways due to stagnant storm water, diseases spread more quickly. Urban runoff and sewage
from backed-up toilets and sewers mix in poorly drained locations, resulting in pollution and a
variety of issues related to waterborne illnesses. Since they lack access to portable water during
the monsoon season, the impoverished have occasionally been forced to rely on contaminated
surface or shallow groundwater sources. The worst conversion effects include malaria, Dhong
fever, respiratory issues, eye and skin problems, and respiratory problems.

Probable Solutions for solving the problems

Make more exits and drainage pathways throughout the entire city

Strengthen the solid waste management system to be more statutory

Ensure that everyone has access to a clean water supply in all of the ward in Khulna city.

Remodeling the drainage infrastructure in the KCC area by integrating the KCC and Khulna
WASA

Reducing conflicts between the KCC and KDA

Maintain and modify water discharge source

Give strong legislative authority against unauthorized and inappropriate development

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Make good land use zoning regulations for peri-urban residents in Khulna city

Provide for the expansion of the industrial zone with appropriate water treatment regulations

Prevent soil degradation and scarcity of water resources in the city area.

Excavate and maintain the canals and drains in the research area.

Demolish unauthorized construction that is built on water bodies.

Preserve the current natural reservoirs.

Khulna City needs the design of a flood protection embankment.

References
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interventions in the coastal region of Bangladesh: A perception analysis of local people.
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Hassan, S., & Mahmud-ul-islam, S. (2014). Detection of Water-logging Areas Based on Passive
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