Mitigating Monsoon-Induced Road Waterlogging and Traffic Congestion: Evidence from Urban Bangladesh and Comparable Countries

Urban areas of Bangladesh, particularly Dhaka and Chattogram, experience recurrent and

severe road waterlogging during the monsoon season. This persistent challenge disrupts traffic

flow, causes prolonged congestion, accelerates the deterioration of road infrastructure, and

leads to substantial economic and social losses. Despite large-scale drainage investments, many

urban roads remain vulnerable due to inadequate surface drainage, encroachment on natural

waterways, and limited integration between drainage and traffic planning.

This paper proposes a conceptual, low-cost, and decentralized rainwater management and

traffic-friendly drainage design aimed at mitigating road waterlogging and associated traffic

congestion during monsoon periods. The proposed approach integrates roadside rainwater

storage tanks, controlled surface and subsurface drainage channels, and basic traffic design

considerations to ensure uninterrupted vehicular movement during heavy rainfall events. By

temporarily storing excess runoff and regulating its release, the system reduces immediate

surface flooding while maintaining road usability.

The study is based on a conceptual case analysis of the Gulshan-1 area in Dhaka City, selected

due to its chronic monsoon waterlogging and high traffic intensity. While the design is illustrated

through this localized context, the proposed framework is adaptable to other urban areas in

Bangladesh and comparable monsoon-prone cities in developing countries. The paper highlights

the potential of decentralized, context-sensitive drainage solutions to enhance urban mobility

resilience, reduce congestion-related losses, and support sustainable urban infrastructure

planning under increasing climate variability.

Keywords: Road water logging, traffic congestion,