Heavy Rains Flood Benapole Land Port, Damaging Imported Goods Worth Millions

Heavy rainfall over the past two days has caused widespread waterlogging at Benapole Land Port, Bangladesh's largest land port, leaving imported goods worth millions of taka submerged and raising concerns among importers over mounting losses. Port authorities say efforts are underway to develop a permanent solution to the recurring drainage problem.

Continuous rain since Thursday has flooded five cargo sheds near Gate No. 3 of the port, submerging a wide range of imported goods. In some areas, water has risen to knee level. Authorities are using power pumps to remove the accumulated water, while port officials and business representatives have inspected the affected sites.

Port users blamed the situation on the port's inadequate drainage system, saying that despite the construction of warehouses, yards and other infrastructure, even moderate rainfall regularly inundates imported goods worth hundreds of crores of taka.

Local port users' associations alleged that they have repeatedly warned the authorities about poor planning and infrastructure deficiencies, but little action has been taken. They claimed that nearly 100 importers now face significant financial losses, as most damaged goods are uninsured and the port authority does not provide compensation.

Although a committee was formed to address drainage and waterlogging, traders said it has produced no meaningful results. According to them, the committee was active for only a few days during last year's monsoon before its efforts came to a halt without any long-term plan.

Abdul Alim, a trader at Benapole Port, said the lack of proper drainage has severely disrupted movement within the port.

"Water has entered several warehouses, damaging imported goods worth hundreds of thousands of taka. Port charges increase every year, but there has been little improvement in infrastructure. Most facilities were built without long-term planning, which is why waterlogging continues every rainy season. Despite repeated assurances, no permanent solution has been implemented," he said.

Aminul Haque Anu, vice-president of the Benapole Importers and Exporters Association, said unplanned development and poor drainage were responsible for the recurring flooding.

"The government collects around Tk 100 billion in direct and indirect revenue annually through customs at Benapole. It is unfortunate that such a major commercial hub continues to suffer from the same problem year after year without effective government intervention," he said.

He added that rainwater entering warehouses regularly damages imported goods, forcing traders to bear substantial financial losses despite repeated complaints to the port authorities.

Benapole Land Port Director Shamim Hossain acknowledged that continuous rainfall had flooded several cargo sheds, damaging imported goods.

"We are using power pumps to drain the water, but the continuous rainfall is making the task difficult. We expect the situation to improve once the rain stops," he said.

Hossain added that the port authority is working on a permanent solution to eliminate the chronic waterlogging problem.