Dhaka residents faced severe traffic congestion across major parts of the capital on August 12, 2026, with commuters and students spending hours on the road. The report said congestion that began on Monday evening continued until late Tuesday night. Travel from Kakarail Mosque to Moghbazar intersection took more than an hour, compared with about five minutes under normal conditions, while even motorcyclists were unable to avoid delays.

Heavy traffic was reported in Jatrabari, Motijheel, Paltan, Gulistan, Kakarail, Moghbazar, Tejgaon, Mirpur, Agargaon and other key corridors. Tejgaon Traffic Division Deputy Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said vehicles moved slowly after Monday's rain, while pedestrians seeking shelter and standing water on parts of roads created extra pressure at signals. Potholes, waterlogging and reckless, wrong-way battery-operated autorickshaws were also identified as factors worsening congestion and road safety risks.

Traffic police were deployed at important points, but normal movement did not return and some passengers left buses to walk. Congestion persisted even in areas where markets were closed, and intensified around school opening and closing times. Passengers alleged that CNG, rickshaw and bus fares rose severalfold. Dhaka Metropolitan Police's traffic division said it filed 1,908 cases during Monday's operations against traffic-law violations.