Three-Hour Downpour Leaves Comilla City Underwater

A torrential spell of rain has submerged large parts of Comilla city, leaving major roads, residential neighbourhoods and public institutions waterlogged and causing severe disruption to daily life. Schools, colleges and places of worship have also been affected as floodwater entered several premises following intense rainfall early on Monday.

The heavy rain turned many streets across the city into stretches of stagnant water, with some areas reporting knee-deep and others nearly waist-deep flooding. Water entered numerous homes, shops and low-lying establishments, leaving thousands of residents struggling. Low-income families, daily wage earners and working people faced the greatest difficulties as movement became extremely challenging.

According to the Comilla weather office, the district recorded 138.2 millimetres of rainfall in the past 24 hours. Of this amount, 107 millimetres was recorded within just three hours, from early morning until 9am on Monday (13 July). Forecasters warned that further heavy rainfall could occur throughout the day.

The worst affected areas included Monoharpur, Women’s College Road, Bagan Bari, South Chartha, Zilla School Road, Police Lines, Racecourse, North Racecourse, Thakurpara, BSCIC Industrial Area, Gobindapur, Muradpur and Chhaya Bitan on the outskirts of the city. In many locations, overflowing drains spread dirty water mixed with waste onto roads, worsening the suffering of residents.

The sudden waterlogging created serious problems for Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) candidates appearing for examinations. Many students struggled to reach their centres on time due to flooded roads. Some were seen arriving at examination venues soaked from the rain, while others reportedly slipped and fell while crossing submerged streets.

However, the Comilla Education Board instructed examination authorities to show flexibility towards students delayed by the adverse weather. Officials said no candidate would be prevented from sitting the examination because of difficulties caused by waterlogging.

Professor Abul Basar, principal of Comilla Victoria Government College, said around 2,100 candidates from eight colleges were taking examinations at the centre. Although water had accumulated on the field, it had not entered the examination rooms. Students who arrived late due to the situation would be considered according to the board’s instructions.

Professor Ahsan Parvez, chairman of the Comilla Education Board, said heavy rainfall had caused waterlogging on roads and near examination centres across the six districts under the board. He added that centre secretaries had been instructed to treat delayed arrivals sympathetically and ensure that no student faced difficulties in taking the examinations.

The impact of the flooding was also felt at Comilla General Hospital. Around 10:30am, the hospital’s ground floor was found submerged, with water entering parts of the emergency department area. Civil Surgeon Dr Ali Nur Mohammad Bashir Ahmed said rainwater had entered the hospital premises from outside, but emergency medical services were continuing through alternative arrangements. He expressed hope that the water would recede once rainfall stopped.

Residents described the situation as unusually severe. Didarul Alam Sumon, a medicine shop owner at Salauddin Mor, said water had entered his shop for the first time in a decade. Another resident, Jahirul Islam, said water had entered the ground floor of his house and remained stagnant because drainage channels were unable to clear it quickly.

The flooding also led to increased transport costs, with some rickshaw and battery-powered auto-rickshaw drivers charging several times the usual fares. Many passengers were forced to pay higher prices due to limited transport options on flooded roads.

Comilla City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Yusuf Molla Tipu said he had been present at the Government Women’s College examination centre before the start of the examination to ensure candidates could enter safely. He said city corporation workers were working to reduce the impact of waterlogging and restore normal conditions in affected areas.

The incident has once again highlighted the city’s drainage challenges, with residents calling for long-term measures to improve water management and prevent recurring urban flooding during periods of intense rainfall.