The sky opens at 5 PM, just as you leave the office. Within half an hour the road outside is ankle deep, the rickshaw puller asks for three times the usual fare, and every CNG either refuses or names a price you cannot believe. If you live in Dhaka, you know this routine every monsoon. Media reports in 2025 described rickshaw and CNG fares doubling or tripling during heavy rain as waterlogging spread across the city.
You cannot stop the rain, but you can avoid being stuck in it. Here is how to plan a rain day trip.
Why getting a ride is so hard in the rain
A few things happen at once when Dhaka floods:
- Demand jumps. Everyone who would have walked or taken a bus now wants a covered vehicle.
- Supply drops. Some drivers stop working, and others avoid areas where water is deep.
- Traffic slows. Waterlogged roads and stalled vehicles turn short trips into long ones.
- Street prices rise. With many people waiting, street fares are set by whoever is most desperate.
Areas that often flood
Reports over recent years have regularly named low lying parts of the city where water collects after heavy rain. Many passengers watch for trouble around:
- Mirpur, especially side roads off the main avenue
- Malibagh, Shantinagar and Moghbazar
- Old Dhaka lanes
- Parts of Mohakhali and Tejgaon
- Roads near Kamalapur and Motijheel
Conditions change every season, so check local news or ask colleagues who travel the same route.
Plan before the rain hits
- Watch the forecast. If heavy rain is expected in the afternoon, consider leaving early or staying a little later until the worst passes.
- Book before you step out. Request the ride while you are still indoors and dry.
- Pick a pickup point on a main road. Drivers can reach a main road far more easily than a flooded lane.
- Keep your phone dry. A zip bag or small pouch protects it so you can still follow the driver and the route.
- Allow extra time. A trip that takes 30 minutes on a dry day may take an hour or more.
Which vehicle to choose in the rain
- Car: Rain day pros Fully covered, keeps you and your bags dry, Rain day cons Can get stuck in very deep water, slower in jams
- CNG: Rain day pros Covered on most sides, handles moderate water, Rain day cons Engine can stall in deep water, sides let in some rain
- Bike: Rain day pros Weaves through traffic, Rain day cons You will get wet, slippery roads, not ideal in heavy rain
- Micro or Hiace: Rain day pros Sits higher, good for groups and luggage, Rain day cons Larger vehicle, slower in narrow lanes
For most rain day trips, a car or CNG is the practical choice. Save the bike for a light drizzle on main roads.
Safety tips on flooded roads
- Do not walk through deep water if you can avoid it. Open drains and manholes are hidden under the surface.
- Do not push a driver to enter water that looks too deep. A stalled vehicle helps no one.
- Keep away from loose wires and electric poles in standing water.
- On a bike, hold on firmly, keep your feet up in water, and ask the driver to go slowly.
- Carry a small umbrella and a spare plastic bag for shoes or documents.
Avoid paying double or triple
The biggest rain day frustration is the price. On the street, there is no fixed number, and you are bargaining while getting soaked. A few ways to protect yourself:
- Know the fare before you board. Booking with an upfront fare means the price is agreed before the driver arrives.
- Do not agree to a price in a hurry. If you must take a street vehicle, agree the full amount before you sit down, including any extra for waiting.
- Share the ride. If colleagues are heading the same way, a micro or car shared between a few people makes more sense than separate rides.
Sending things instead of going yourself
Sometimes the best trip in the rain is the one you do not take. If you need a parcel sent across the city, or food and medicine brought home, a delivery can save you a soaking.
How Arohon helps
- Upfront fares. You see the fare before you book, so you are not bargaining on a wet street.
- Covered vehicles. Book a CNG, car, car plus, micro or Hiace when you need to stay dry.
- Driver details before boarding. Check the name, photo and plate, even when you are in a hurry to get out of the rain.
- Share trip with family. Let someone at home follow your ride when traffic makes the trip longer than usual.
- Food, medicine and parcels. Order food or medicine to your door, paying by cash, bKash, Nagad or card, or send a parcel within Dhaka in about an hour.
Rides on Arohon are paid in cash to the driver.
Keep reading
- Book a ride
- Food and medicine delivery
- Driver Keeps Cancelling? Why It Happens and How to Avoid It
- Beat Dhaka Office Traffic, Times, Routes and Modes
Frequently asked questions
Why do fares go up so much when it rains in Dhaka?
More people want covered vehicles while fewer drivers are on the road and traffic slows down. On the street, that pushes prices up quickly. Reports in 2025 described rickshaw and CNG fares doubling or tripling in heavy rain.
What is the best vehicle to take in heavy rain?
A car keeps you fully dry and is the most comfortable choice. A CNG is a good option for moderate water. Bikes are best avoided in heavy rain.
Will the fare change on Arohon when it rains?
The fare is shown before you book, so you know the price before the driver arrives and there is no bargaining on the street.
Is it safe to ride through waterlogged roads?
Moderate water is common, but deep water can stall vehicles and hide open drains. Do not push a driver into water that looks too deep, and avoid walking through flooded lanes where possible.
Can I get medicine delivered when roads are flooded?
Yes, you can order medicine through Arohon and pay by cash, bKash, Nagad or card. Delivery times can be longer when roads are badly waterlogged.