Floods force suspension of HSC exams across Chattogram Board as transport collapses

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations scheduled under the Chattogram Board on Wednesday were postponed after relentless rainfall triggered widespread flooding, landslides and a near-breakdown of transport links across southeastern Bangladesh.

The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee announced the decision in an emergency order issued late Tuesday night, citing the rapidly deteriorating flood situation. Authorities had earlier postponed examinations in several districts, but worsening conditions prompted the suspension of all examinations under the Chattogram Board. Examinations under all other education boards are being held as scheduled. A revised date for the postponed examinations will be announced later.

Two days of torrential rain have submerged large parts of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said Chattogram recorded its second-highest rainfall in 42 years.

The extreme weather triggered landslides and wall collapses, leaving people dead in Chattogram city, Rangunia, Rangamati and Cox's Bazar. Flash floods also cut off road communication between Khagrachhari and Rangamati after key roads went underwater.

Air and rail services were also disrupted. Several flights were unable to land at Shah Amanat International Airport because of adverse weather, while the Cox's Bazar-bound Paryatak Express, carrying nearly 1,000 passengers, was stranded at Chattogram's Sholoshahar Railway Station after floodwaters submerged sections of the railway track.

Cox's Bazar has borne the brunt of the flooding. More than 200 small and large landslides were reported across the Rohingya refugee camps in Ukhiya over the past two days, while flooding inundated more than 100 villages in Cox's Bazar Sadar, Teknaf, Ramu, Chakaria and other upazilas.

With roads submerged and transport severely disrupted, thousands of residents remain stranded by floodwaters, while HSC candidates across the Chattogram Board have been left unable to reach their examination centres.