Eid rush on open trucks, pickups: Scorching heat, rain adds to travellers’ misery

As Eid approaches, many people are risking their lives to reach their hometowns by travelling on open trucks and pickup vans, in addition to using buses and private vehicles.

Alongside severe traffic congestion, travellers have been left drenched and distressed, first scorched by the blazing sun and then soaked in a downpour.

On Thursday afternoon, heavy rain lashed the Dhaka-Tangail highway, following hours of intense heat and humidity that had already left home-bound passengers exhausted.

A visit to the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway revealed crowds waiting for transport. More private cars and motorcycles were seen on the road than buses.

With a shortage of public transport and soaring fares, many have resorted to returning home on the roofs of buses, or in open trucks and pickup vans—despite the dangers.

The combination of gridlocked traffic, oppressive heat, and sudden rain has made the journey highly uncomfortable.

Clothes, cash, mobile phones, and other belongings have been damaged by the rain. Women, children, and the elderly are suffering the most.

In the Chandrа area, 42-year-old Amir Hamza, travelling to Pabna, was found drenched and shivering.

“I work for a company,” he said. “Today I’m heading home for Eid. When I reached Chandrа, there were no vehicles available. Then I saw people getting on an open truck, so I joined them.

“Now I’m heading home soaked from the rain and burned by the sun. It’s a struggle, but celebrating Eid at home is worth it to me. It brings me joy.”

Meanwhile, traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway has been moving slowly due to the overwhelming number of vehicles and several breakdowns on the Jamuna Bridge approach road during the night.

At present, traffic is crawling along a 24-kilometre stretch from Rabna Bypass to the eastern end of the Jamuna Bridge. In some areas, vehicles are coming to a standstill.

Mohammad Sharif, chief of the Elenga Highway Police Outpost, said: “Traffic is slow-moving across the highway, but it hasn’t come to a complete halt. There’s a heavy load of vehicles.”