Record 107mm rain in 3hrs, hospitals submerged in Cumilla

Severe waterlogging has hit Cumilla city due to heavy downpour from Monday dawn to 9 AM. Only three hours of rain recorded 107mm rainfall which disrupted public life.

Roads, alleys, and vast parts of residential areas of the city went underwater. Knee-deep, waist-deep water has accumulated parts of the city. Thus, thousands of people are suffering as water entered their homes.

HSC examinees faced extreme difficulties due to this. Many failed to reach exam center on time. However, Cumilla Education Board has instructed the center authorities to be lenient towards late-comers.

Going to Cumilla General (Sadar) Hospital around 9:30AM, it was seen that the ground floor of the hospital was flooded. Water accumulated in the emergency department and under the beds of the patients.

The most waterlogging was seen in Monohorpur, Mohila College Road, Baganbari, South Chartha, Zilla School Road, Police Lines, Racecourse, North Racecourse, Thakurpara, BSCIC Industrial Area, Gobindapur, Muradpur, and Chhayabitan area of the suburb. Water entered various houses, business establishments, and low-lying structures. In many places, drains overflowed and dirty water spread on the roads, increasing public suffering.

Taking advantage of the waterlogging, rickshaw and battery-run auto-rickshaw drivers doubled the fare. Regular passengers were forced to pay extra fare. Boats were also arranged to help examinees enter the Government Mohila College center.

Cumilla Weather Office informed that 138.2 millimeters of rainfall has been recorded in the district in the last 24 hours. Out of this, 107 millimeters of rainfall occurred in just three hours from Monday dawn to 9 am. There is a possibility of more heavy rain throughout the day.

Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Md. Yusuf Molla Tipu said he stayed at the Government Mohila College center before the exam started and took necessary steps for the safe entry of examinees into the center. He said waterlogging has been created in different areas of the city due to heavy rain. City corporation workers are working to bring the situation back to normal.

-SA