A devastating combination of diesel scarcity and rolling blackouts has brought irrigation to a standstill across major agricultural hubs in Bangladesh. From Rangpur to Cox’s Bazar, thousands of pumps are idle as the boro rice crop enters its most sensitive growth stage.
A group of 50 SSC examinees from Giridharipur Adarsha High School staged a midnight blockade of the Dhaka–Rangpur highway in Palashbari, Gaibandha, after failing to receive their admit cards on the eve of the national exam. The rare night protest, joined by anxious parents, created severe traffic disruption and ended only after high-level assurances from the local administration.
The 2026 SSC and equivalent examinations kicked off today across 3,885 centers in Bangladesh, but the academic milestone is being overshadowed by a nationwide energy crisis. With power generation falling 1,200 MW short of demand, students in rural districts face the most significant hurdles, relying on kerosene lamps and daylight to complete their most critical papers.
