Due to the worsening flood situation and severe weather conditions, all HSC and equivalent examinations scheduled for today, Wednesday, July 8, under the Chittagong Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board have been postponed.

The emergency directive was issued late Tuesday night, signed by Professor Syed Akteruzzaman, President of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee.

Evolution of the Decision
The decision was finalized in stages as the situation rapidly deteriorated. Initially, late Tuesday night, separate orders were issued to postpone exams only for the districts of Chittagong and Rangamati, followed by a subsequent order for Cox’s Bazar.

However, given the intensity of the flooding, the authority extended the postponement to encompass the entire jurisdiction of the Chittagong Board.

Exams under all other education boards in the country will continue as per the original schedule. The new dates for the postponed examinations will be announced in due course.

Impact of Record-Breaking Rainfall
The region has been battered by two consecutive days of record-breaking rainfall, causing widespread inundation across Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Historic Rainfall: In Chittagong city, the 24-hour rainfall recorded since 3:00 PM on Monday is the second-highest ever and the most severe in 42 years. It surpassed previous records, with the highest in recent history being 511 mm on August 4, 1983.

Human Toll: Tragically, reports of fatalities have emerged from landslides and wall collapses in Chittagong city, Rangunia, Baghaichhari (Rangamati), and Cox’s Bazar.

Transportation Paralysis:

Roads: Mountain runoff has submerged the Maischhari area of the Khagrachari-Rangamati road, completely severing road connectivity between the two districts.

Air: The adverse weather prevented three international and domestic flights from landing at Shah Amanat International Airport.

Rail: The "Paryatak Express" train bound for Cox's Bazar has been stranded at Sholoshohor Station in Chittagong with approximately 1,000 passengers on board. Tracks between Janalihat and Sholoshohor remain under two feet of water, rendering rail communication on the Cox’s Bazar route impossible.

Local administrations are currently prioritizing safety measures as the region continues to grapple with the ongoing environmental crisis.