Waterlogging survey, Dhaka
Where water stands in the rains, with photos and locations, for the municipality.
- 0/4 people
- About 4 hours
- 10
- points
About this task
After heavy rain many Dhaka roads stay under water for hours. Walking the area after rain to find every place water stands, and listing each with a photo, an address, how deep and how long it stays; then handing the list to the municipality or union council.
Why it matters
The authority often does not know which lane floods. A list with photos and locations makes it easy to decide which drains to fix first.
What changes after
A list of at least ten spots with photos; the authority’s received copy; the list kept to see next monsoon how many were fixed.
Who can join
Anyone with a smartphone. From abroad you can help put the list together.
Step by step
0 of 3 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 4 hours across all steps
- 1
Divide the area
Each volunteer takes a few streets on a map.
30 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Walk and photograph after rain
The day after heavy rain: photo, location pin and depth for each spot.
180 minফোন
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
Hand in the list
One spreadsheet; a printed copy handed in with a received stamp.
30 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
When it counts as done
- A list of at least ten spots with photos
Proof required
- Document
- Photo
Safety
Do not walk through standing water: there may be open manholes or live wires. Photograph from dry ground.
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳600–1,600
- People
- 4
- Time in all
- 4 hours
- Age
- 15 or older
Best timeThe monsoon, June to September. Go out 1–3 hours after heavy rain stops, or the next morning, in daylight. Never during lightning.
PermissionNo permission for the survey. The list goes to the municipality, city corporation or union council.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile data4 peopleWhere: Mobile top-up shop | 4 people | ৳50–100 |
| Colour print of the report with photos3 copiesWhere: Print and photocopy shop | 3 copies | ৳100–300 |
| Measuring tape or marked stick1Where: Hardware shop | 1 | ৳80–200 |
| File or folder1Where: Stationery shop | 1 | ৳30–60 |
| Total (about) | ৳600–1,600 | |
Getting ready, step by step
7 days before
- Take a map of the area; split it into 4 and give each person some streets.
- Make one shared sheet: no., place, pin link, depth, how long it stays, photo, note.
3 days before
- Watch the forecast; be ready for the heavy-rain day.
- Have everyone practise dropping a pin and filling the sheet.
Rain day
- After the rain stops, walk your share; photograph from dry ground.
- Enter each spot in the sheet on the spot.
The day after
- Revisit the same spots: has the water gone?
- Tidy the list and print it.
The week after
- Hand it in; get a stamp and date on the received copy.
- Add a photo of the received copy to the proof.
Who does what
Coordinator1
Splits the area, checks the sheet, makes and hands in the report.
Surveyors2
Walk their share in pairs: photo, pin, depth.
Sheet and checking1
Walks one share, then matches photos and pins in the sheet and removes duplicates.
Whom to speak to first
Engineering section of the municipality or city corporation
- Why
- They decide drain repairs and priorities.
- How
- Hand in the printed list with a letter; take a received copy.
Ward councillor's office or union council
- Why
- They can raise it locally.
- How
- Give them a copy.
Residents and shopkeepers
- Why
- They know best where water stays and how long.
- How
- Ask while walking and note it in the sheet.
The day, hour by hour
- 07:00Group message: the rain has stopped, time to go.
- 07:30Everyone starts their share.
- 09:00Midway, report the count of spots found.
- 10:30Walking done; check every spot is in the sheet.
- 11:00Coordinator checks photos and pins, removes duplicates.
- 16:00Revisit some spots to see how far the water has fallen.
How to take the proof
- One photo per spot, with a known shop or landmark in view.
- Show depth with a marked stick or familiar object; do not wade in.
- Attach the full list (sheet or PDF).
- Photo of the authority's received copy, with stamp and date.
Common first-time mistakes
- Photos with no location; the spot cannot be found later.
- Going after the sun is out; the water has gone.
- Handing in without a received copy.
- Two people logging the same spot twice.
What can go wrong, and what to do
Open manholes or holes under water
Never walk in standing water; photograph from dry ground.
A live wire in the water
Stay away, keep others back, call 999 or the power office.
Rain and lightning return
Leave open ground and shelter in a solid building.
Someone asks why you are taking photos
Explain politely: a waterlogging list for the municipality.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
Volunteer call
Hello. We will list where water stands in [area] in the rains, with photos and locations, for the municipality. Needed: 4 people with a smartphone. After the next heavy rain, 2–3 hours of walking; we will message the group. Nobody wades in — photos from dry ground. Sign up on the Desher Kaj task page.
Covering letter to the municipality
Date: [date] To, The Executive Engineer, [municipality/city corporation] Subject: Submission of a photo list of waterlogged spots in [area]. Sir/Madam, A few volunteers from the area walked [ward/area] after the heavy rain of [date] and found water standing at [number] spots. The attached list gives a photo, map location, approximate depth and how long the water stayed for each. We would be grateful if it helps set priorities for drain repair. Yours sincerely, [name], coordinator [mobile number] Attached: waterlogging list ([pages] pages)
After it is done
- Keep the list; next monsoon, check how many spots were fixed.
- Open a drain-cleanup task at the worst spots.
- Follow up with the authority in three months and note the reply.
Questions people ask
How do we give the location?
Drop a pin in your phone’s map and copy the link, with the name of a nearby shop or mosque.
Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.