Photo: BSS

KHULNA, July 13, 2026 (BSS) - Continuous rainfall over the past several days has left four government institutions near the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) campus inundated, severely disrupting their regular activities.

Although the offices reopened on Sunday after the weekly holidays, normal operations remained largely suspended as stagnant water continued to surround the premises.

A visit to the area on Monday found that while floodwater inside the ground floors of the buildings had receded, access roads and the front yards of the institutions were still submerged, discouraging visitors and trainees from entering.

The affected institutions are the Higher Secondary Teachers Training Institute (HSTTI), Government Teachers Training College, Khulna Women Technical Training Centre and Government Laboratory High School.

Local residents said the drainage channel between Government Laboratory High School and HSTTI serves as the final outlet for rainwater from Telegati, Khanabari, Bonikpara and Maheshwarpasha areas.

However, inadequate drainage has caused recurring waterlogging every monsoon.

They alleged that the problem has worsened since KUET expanded its northern campus several years ago by raising land with sand, obstructing the natural flow of water through the drainage system.

HSTTI Director Prof Dr Sheikh Amanullah said two to three feet of water had entered the institute ground floor during the heavy rain. Although the water has receded from inside the building, stagnant water outside continues to hamper normal activities, he added.

“Trainees from all 10 districts of Khulna Division have been unable to attend training sessions,” he said, adding that prolonged waterlogging also threatens the building's structural safety.

Acting Principal of Government Teachers Training College Prof Biplob Rahman said three to four feet of water had accumulated inside the ground floor, while waist-deep water still surrounds the campus.

“Most students returned home after seeing the water. Academic activities are continuing only in a limited way,” he said, adding that the institution has been facing the same problem for the past five years.

 Acting Principal of Khulna Women Technical Training Centre Mirza Firoz Hasan said training activities have virtually come to a halt as trainees cannot access the campus due to waterlogged roads.

Acting Headmaster of Government Laboratory High School Md Abu Hanif said water had flooded the ground floors of both the two-storey and three-storey buildings, including his office, creating uncertainty over the school’s ongoing examinations.

He also blamed inadequate drainage and the raised KUET expansion area for obstructing the natural flow of rainwater.

Talking to BSS, Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju said waterlogging had occurred in several parts of the city following the recent heavy rainfall.

He said the city authorities have taken plans to address waterlogging in six vulnerable areas and instructed officials to ensure timely operation of sluice gates, remove drainage obstructions, clean box culverts using jet machines, and keep excavators and other equipment ready for emergency response.

Manju said that completion of the ongoing “Drainage System Improvement for Waterlogging Mitigation” project will cover about 25 percent of the city’s total drainage network.

Future plans include constructing three pump houses, procuring modern drain-cleaning equipment, and installing electrically operated sluice gates to prevent tidal water intrusion, the KCC administrator added.