Severe Waterlogging in Cumilla City Disrupts Life and HSC Exams, Caused by Kandi Canal Encroachment

On July 13, 2026, heavy rainfall (peaking at 138.2mm) caused severe waterlogging across Cumilla city, including areas like Shaktala, Tomsom Bridge, and Paduar Bazar, specifically impacting Comilla Government Women's College and Victoria College. The event flooded homes and the district Sadar Hospital. Over 2,100 students faced significant hardship, with many forced to use boats or wade through waist-deep water to reach exam centers. The crisis is exacerbated by the encroachment of the 5km-long Kandi Canal, which serves as the city's primary drainage channel. Following the incident, education authorities relocated the examination center for 987 students to the Bhashasainik Ajit Guha College center, and on July 23, 2026, seven teachers involved in exam management were transferred. The City Corporation has since initiated demolition efforts to remove illegal structures and restore the canal's drainage capacity.