Prolonged rainfall caused severe waterlogging across the University of Dhaka campus on Sunday, inundating several residential halls, the administrative building, and academic areas.
The heavy rain also brought down a century-old krishnachura (Royal Poinciana/Gulmohar) tree in the Mall Chattar area.
Electricity supply was suspended in two women's dormitories, leaving thousands of resident students facing acute hardship.
Several departments cancelled scheduled mid-term and final examinations, while most suspended in-person classes and some shifted to online sessions.
Waterlogging was reported in Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, the administrative building, Dhaka University Club, the Curzon Hall area, the stretch from Toron Gate to VC Chattar, the area around AF Mujibur Rahman Ganit Bhaban, and the Palashi area.
Tasnim Akter Alif Nabila, vice-president of the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall union, told Dhaka Tribune: "There has been no electricity since 11am on Sunday, and our mobile phone batteries are almost drained. It's getting dark now, and if the university administration doesn't take any measures, we'll have to stay in the dark."
Visits to Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall, and Salimullah Muslim Hall found extensive waterlogging on the grounds and internal roads. At Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, floodwater had also reached the verandas of several ground-floor rooms.
The Institute of Health Economics, Department of Women and Gender Studies, and Department of Television, Film, and Photography cancelled mid-term examinations. Final exams were postponed by the Department of Management, Department of World Religion and Culture, Institute of Education and Research, and Department of Peace and Conflict Studies. Most other departments cancelled classes, while some opted for online instruction.
Explaining why the century-old tree collapsed, Professor Zashim Uddin, director of the university's Arboriculture Center, told Dhaka Tribune: "Concrete structures built around Mall Chattar prevented the tree's roots from spreading properly. This left its base weak, so even without strong winds, it came down in the rain."
He said the falling tree also damaged several nearby trees, including konokchura and shimul (silk cotton), and warned that the western row of trees at Mall Chattar is now in a precarious state and at risk of collapse.
According to him, a tree census conducted by the Arboriculture Center found that around 2,000 trees on campus are vulnerable.
He said many trees have become unstable because their roots were cut during development projects and encased in concrete, preventing them from receiving sufficient oxygen and nutrients. As a result, many are gradually dying. The center has identified these vulnerable trees using 11 assessment parameters.
Professor Zashim is also working to establish a "model forest" in the Mall Chattar area to recreate the biodiversity of forests such as Bhawal and Madhupur, allowing students to experience native ecosystems on campus. The collection currently includes around 70 indigenous tree species, with plans to expand it to 100.
The collection features several rare and medicinal native species, including Parul, Udal, Palash, Pitraj, Sal, Kadam, Shimul, and Konokchura.