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Published : 28 Apr 2026, 05:49 PM
Several hours of torrential rain have left large parts of Cumilla City waterlogged, with streets and low-lying areas submerged under knee-deep to waist-deep water, causing immense suffering for residents.
The adverse weather significantly hampered the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations.
Many students and their guardians were seen wading through stagnant water, with many examinees emerging from centres completely drenched.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded 102mm of rainfall in the district between the morning and 12pm.
Areas including Court Road, Laksam Road's Salauddin intersection, Monohorpur, Women's College Road, Racecourse, Eidgah Road, Ashoktala, Mogbari Chowmuhani and Kaliajuri were left submerged.
In some places, floodwater entered homes and businesses.
Continuous rainfall has also raised fears of extensive crop damage.
Many examination centres saw a power outage shortly after storms began.
At some centres, students continued their exams by candlelight and rechargeable lamps.
Water also entered several centres, forcing some candidates to remain standing for hours while writing their papers. After the examination, many were seen wading through knee and waist-deep water.
Harunur Rashid, whose son took his exam at Ishwar Pathshala School, said: "The power went out about 20 minutes after the exam began. Candles and charger lights were arranged, but heavy rain soon flooded the centre. Students in the old building had to stand for a long time while writing."
Abdus Salam, a businessman in Mogbari Chowmuhani, said floodwater had entered his shop and damaged goods. He urged the city corporation to improve drainage to prevent recurring public suffering.
The Cumilla City Corporation said it took immediate steps to drain stagnant water.
Acting on instructions from Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu, workers cleared drains and canal inlets across affected areas.
However, the water remained in low-lying neighbourhoods until the afternoon.
The agriculture department fears significant damage to paddy and vegetable crops due to heavy rain and Nor'wester storms.
Fallen trees disrupted traffic in several Upazilas, including Chauddagram, Laksam, Monohorganj, Barura and Burichang.
Reports also emerged of damage to homes and power outages caused by uprooted trees.
Barura Upazila administrator Asaduzzaman Rony said several trees had fallen in Bhabanipur, Egaro Gram, and other areas.
"Instructions have been given to remove them. Several unions remain without electricity, and the Rural Electrification Board is working to restore connections," he said.
The Department of Disaster Management and Relief said it was not yet possible to assess the full extent of the damage.
Cumilla Meteorological Office acting officer Arifur Rahman said: "We recorded 102 millimetres of rainfall between morning and 12pm. These weather conditions may persist for several more days."
