HSC examinees across several districts had to wade through knee-deep to waist-deep water, take boats and vans to reach their centres on Monday as heavy rain and waterlogging disrupted the sixth day of exams.

Exam centres and roads in Cumilla, Bogura, and Noakhali went under water. Many students left home early but still struggled to make it on time. Some could not find transport, while others travelled by motorcycle or rickshaw before walking through dirty water.

The situation was worst at Comilla Government Women’s College, where the campus was flooded. Water entered the buildings, while the road in front was submerged under knee‑ to waist‑deep water.

Videos on social media showed examinees arriving by boats and vans, while others held their admit cards high above the water. Later, city authorities arranged boats for them.

A total of 1,209 examinees were scheduled to sit for physics, accounting and logic exams at the centre. Some reached the campus after the examination had begun.

Sajid Hossain, a physics examinee, reached the centre by boat at 10:15am. “It had been raining since dawn. I left home in Daulatpur at 8:30am but could not find any transport,” he said.

“Almost all the roads were under water. I finally reached the centre and found the water above my waist. I was worried I would miss the exam.”

Mahmuda Akter reached the centre on her father’s motorcycle but had to wade through the flooded compound.

“I never thought I would face such a situation at an exam centre. After going through so much trouble, I do not know how my exam went,” she said.

Students said the journey was not their only hardship. Many spent the previous night without electricity. Some could not study because water entered their homes, while others remained awake to protect books and furniture.

Waterlogging was reported around Comilla Victoria Government College and Bhasha Sainik Ajit Guha College. In Bogura, students at Government Azizul Haque College carried their shoes through the flooded compound. Several centres in Noakhali’s Hatiya were also inundated.

Parents questioned why the examinations were held when several institutions had postponed tests because of the weather.

They said exam dates could be changed, but an accident on a flooded road could not be undone. Students in affected areas, they added, did not have the same chance to prepare or reach their centres safely.

Despite adverse weather, the Bangladesh Inter‑Education Board Coordination Committee confirmed Monday night that HSC and equivalent exams are continuing across most of the country, as most centres remain usable.

In a press release, the committee said it was aware of concerns raised by students, guardians and others over why the exams were being held amid bad weather.

This year, 12,70,583 examinees are sitting for the HSC and equivalent examinations at 2,697 centres across all education boards, the release said.

The committee said exams under the Chattogram Education Board have been postponed until July 16 as several centres were affected by flooding caused by heavy rain and many examinees could not safely reach their centres.

The decision was taken based on the situation on the ground and opinions from upazila nirbahi officers and deputy commissioners, it said.

For other boards, most centres remain suitable for holding exams, and local administrations have reported that the exam environment is in place through coordination with district administrations, law enforcement agencies and local authorities, the release added.

The committee also referred to difficulties faced by examinees at Comilla Government Women’s College centre this morning due to adverse weather. With support from the local administration, the centre authorities and guardians, students were able to reach the centre on time and sit for the exam, it said.

The committee said repeated postponement could affect students’ academic life, result publication, university admissions and the overall academic calendar.

It also said postponing exams of all boards because of the situation in one board was not practical under the common question paper system.

However, if a natural disaster seriously threatens students’ safety or the holding of exams in any area, the deputy commissioner concerned will assess the situation and take immediate necessary decisions, the release said.

Students’ lives and safety are the highest priority, it added.

The committee advised examinees to follow official instructions and start for centres with enough time in hand during adverse weather.