HSC examinees use boats to reach centres as 3-hour downpour waterlogs Cumilla

Monsoon deluges paralyse public life as water penetrates residential areas and commercial establishments

Three hours of rain have thrown Cumilla City Corporation into disarray, flooding major roads, alleys and residential areas across the city.

The downpour, which continued from dawn to 9am on Monday, left large stretches of the city under knee-to-waist-deep water, paralysing daily life for residents.

Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) candidates bore the brunt of the disruption, wading through waist-deep water in soaked clothes to reach exam centres.

Cumilla Met Office chief Arifur Rahman said the district recorded 138.2mm of rain in 24 hours, with 107mm falling in the three hours between 6am and 9am on Monday.

The forecast says more heavy rain is likely throughout the day, which could worsen waterlogging.

Low-income residents and day labourers were among those hit hardest by the sudden downpour, with many fearing damage to household furniture and belongings.

Urban transport ground to a halt as roads vanished underwater, leaving commuters and school-goers stranded or completely drenched.

Candidates heading to Comilla Government Women’s College, Comilla Victoria Government College, and Comilla Government College faced harrowing conditions.

Outside the Women's College centre near Chartha, some students used plastic boats to enter, while most waded through waist-deep water, forcing them to sit for their three-hour examinations in wet clothes.

Guardian Abdus Salam said, "There was nothing else to do. We walked half the way from Chanpur with my daughter. There were no rickshaws or autos on the road.

"I don't know how my daughter will manage the exam, sitting there soaked like this."

Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu visited exam centres to check on candidates.

The corporation said cleaning workers had been instructed to ensure floodwater drained away as quickly as possible.

Severe waterlogging was reported in the Zilla School Road, Police Lines, Racecourse, Chartha, Thakurpara, BSCIC Industrial Estate, Gobindapur, Muradpur and the suburban Chhayabitan area.

Water entered homes, businesses and other low-lying buildings, while overflowing drains spread dirty water across roads.

Rickshaw and battery-run auto-rickshaw drivers reportedly doubled fares in parts of the city, exploiting the adverse weather.