Heavy rain that fell on May 17, the same day as the World Urban Forum (WUF13) being held in Baku, once again caused serious problems across the city. Roads in various parts of Baku were flooded, traffic movement was severely disrupted, and long traffic jams formed. Several residential buildings were flooded again, leaving residents and drivers in difficult conditions.
This scene is no longer new for Baku. Almost every year, torrential rains create similar problems in the capital. The last similar situation occurred during March and April of this year. Each time, the relevant authorities attribute the consequences to rainfall exceeding normal levels.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, efforts are underway to pump water out of flooded areas and carry out other safety measures in different parts of Baku, as well as in Sumgait and the Absheron district.
One of the most widely discussed aspects of the rain was that it coincided with the World Urban Forum (WUF13) taking place in Baku. Foreign guests attending the forum witnessed the situation firsthand. Videos shared on social media showed flooded streets and immobilized vehicles. Users criticized the relevant authorities for failing to solve the problem for years.
The torrential rain also created serious difficulties for students heading to the master’s entrance examination. Some students posted on social media saying they were unable to reach exam buildings on time due to weather conditions and road closures. According to them, traffic restrictions on several streets and avenues made it even harder to get to the exam centers. As a result, a number of students were unable to take the exam.
The State Examination Center issued a statement saying that, considering the weather conditions, accommodations were made to allow some delayed individuals to participate in the exam. However, some parents and students later wrote on social media that the official statement did not reflect all cases. According to them, late-arriving candidates were not allowed into some exam centers.
Following the complaints, the State Examination Center released an additional statement on May 18, announcing that students who were late or unable to participate due to the rain would be given another opportunity to take the master’s admission exam on June 14.
