Bharathidasan University Postpones Semester Examinations Due to Chennai Floods – News18

In the wake of heavy rainfall and the subsequent devastation in Chennai and its surrounding districts, Bharathidasan University (BDU) has been compelled to defer the semester examinations for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in its affiliated colleges. This delay stems from challenges in the printing process of examination question papers, exacerbated by the adverse weather conditions in Chennai.

Originally slated to take place between December 11 and 16, the semester examinations for non-autonomous colleges have been affected. An official from the university highlighted that the printing of question papers is distributed across various locations in the state, including Chennai. However, the recent rain havoc in the region has significantly impeded the transportation and production of these crucial examination materials.

S Srinivasa Raghavan, the Controller of Examinations (in-charge), conveyed in a circular to college principals that the decision to postpone the examinations was made for administrative reasons. Notably, the 145 colleges affiliated with Bharathidasan University in Trichy, consisting of 24 autonomous and 121 non-autonomous institutions, serve thousands of students from Trichy and surrounding districts. Autonomous colleges, having concluded their examinations already, remain unaffected by the postponement.

In an official statement, the Controller of Examinations assured that a revised schedule for the examinations would be promptly announced. All colleges affiliated with BDU have been duly notified about the postponement, and efforts are underway to mitigate the disruptions caused by the inclement weather in Chennai.

The delay in conducting these examinations has been caused as Chennai continues to struggle following the devastating floods triggered by Cyclone Michaung earlier in the week. The incessant rainfall during December 4 and 5 led to widespread inundation, resulting in severe damage to the city’s infrastructure.

Strong winds and torrential rains battered India’s southern Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states after Michaung, a tropical cyclone, struck near Bapatla on December 5, according to the NASA Earth Observatory. According to the India Meteorological Department, when it hit the coast, the severe cyclonic storm had sustained winds of 90 to 100 kilometers (56 to 62 miles) per hour.

While some areas are gradually returning to normalcy, residents in South Chennai and parts of North Chennai are still contending with the aftermath. Challenges persist in the form of power outages, shortages of essential supplies such as milk, and ongoing waterlogging. As of now, relief work is ongoing and Tamil Nadu CM Stalin has reportedly announced Rs 6,000 as a relief amount to families affected by flood.