The Dhaka Education Board is closely monitoring the ongoing HSC and equivalent examinations following flood forecasts for 17 districts, though no decision has yet been made on suspending the exams.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on Tuesday night, former Controller of Examinations and current Secretary of the Dhaka Education Board, Professor Professor SM Kamal Uddin Haider, said, "No discussion or decision has been made yet regarding the suspension of the examinations. However, we are closely monitoring the situation."
Board officials said necessary preparations are in place to ensure the continuation of the examinations in the event of floods or other natural disasters. Any decision will be taken based on the evolving situation in consultation with the Ministry of Education and the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee.
Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said in a bulletin issued on Tuesday that very heavy rainfall was recorded in Chittagong Division over the past 24 hours, while Sylhet and Barisal divisions experienced heavy to very heavy rain. Heavy rainfall was also recorded in the adjoining Indian states of Meghalaya and Tripura.
The FFWC forecast that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue over the next four days in Chittagong, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions, as well as in upstream areas of India.
According to the forecast, water levels in the Gomti, Muhuri, Feni, Halda, Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers in Chittagong Division may rise rapidly and exceed danger levels within the next 24 to 72 hours, potentially triggering short-term flooding in parts of Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Chittagong and Khagrachhari. Low-lying areas of Lakshmipur and Noakhali may also face temporary inundation.
In Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, water levels in major rivers, including the Surma, Kushiyara, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, Kangsha and Someshwari, are also expected to rise sharply, raising the risk of short-term flooding in parts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Netrokona, Sherpur and Mymensingh.
The FFWC also warned that the Teesta River in Rangpur Division may cross the danger level within the next 24 to 48 hours, posing a risk of short-term flooding in low-lying riverside areas of Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat.
Although water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges-Padma river systems have receded over the past 24 hours, the FFWC said they may rise again in the coming days. However, both river systems are expected to remain below their respective danger levels for now.
