Following reports of severe waterlogging at the Cumilla Government Women's College HSC examination center, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman intervened directly to address the crisis. On Monday (July 13), the exam center was relocated, and authorities granted an additional 30 minutes of testing time to students delayed by the flash flooding.
Professor Md. Shafiqul Islam, Controller of Examinations at the Cumilla Education Board, confirmed the changes.
Prime Ministerial Intervention
Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Md. Yusuf Molla Tipu, who visited the site, stated that the situation drew the Prime Minister's attention after viral social media footage showed students being ferried to the exam center by boat through flooded streets.
"The Prime Minister called me shortly ago to inquire about the situation," said Administrator Tipu. "We apprised him of our efforts, and subsequently, the decision was made to change the center and extend the examination time by 30 minutes."
Severe Flooding Disrupts Exams
The disruption began after a torrential downpour, with the Meteorological Department reporting 107 millimeters of rainfall in just three hours. The sudden surge of water submerged the Cumilla Government Women's College center in Monoharpur, as well as major roads, residential areas, and narrow lanes across the city.
In some areas, water levels reached knee or waist-deep, forcing residents to contend with flooded homes and extreme travel difficulties. At the Women's College center, the situation was particularly dire; by 9:30 AM, students were seen arriving at the exam venue either by boat or by wading through waist-deep water to reach their classrooms.
The swift relocation and extension of the exam period were implemented to mitigate the distress faced by candidates and ensure that the adverse weather conditions did not impede their ability to complete their papers.
