SSC examinees face severe hardship due to waterlogging in Cumilla

Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinees have faced severe hardship and struggle as Cumilla city waz submerged by 102mm of rainfall.

Candidates at some centres have been forced to take exams under candlelight as flash floods hit the city, said sources.

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.

Many students and their guardians were seen wading through stagnant water, with many examinees emerging from centres completely drenched.

Some examination centers were submerged in knee-deep water, students were seen taking exams with their feet on benches.

Around 12:30pm on Tuesday, students were seen taking exams with their feet on benches amidst waterlogging. The hall observer was also sitting with her feet on a chair.

According to the District Meteorological Department, 102 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in the district from 8 am to 12 pm.

The continuous rain that started in the morning submerged almost all important areas of the city, including Adalat Road, Salauddin Intersection of Laksham Road, Manoharpur, Mohila College Road, Race Course area, Eidgah Road, Ashoktala, Magbari Chowmuni. Water also entered many homes and businesses.

SSC candidates were the most affected by the rain. As soon as the rain started, electricity went out in various centers. In some centers, students had to take the exam by lighting candles and flashlights. In many centers, water accumulated and they had to stand for one to one and a half hours to take the exam. Even after the exam, students were seen leaving the center with water up to their knees and waists.

Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu said that urgent measures have been taken to drain the water accumulated in various places in the city.

He said that City Corporation workers went to various areas and cleaned the mouths of drains and canals and made arrangements to remove the water. However, water was seen accumulating in low-lying areas until the afternoon.

Arifur Rahman, officer-in-charge of the Cumilla Meteorological Department, said that the rainy conditions may continue for another two to three days.