Adverse weather: Bandarban tourist centres closed for 3 more days

Heavy rain and waterlogging in the hill district have led to issues with communication, the deputy commissioner says

The Bandarban district administration has extended the closure of tourist centres by three more days until Jul 15 due to adverse conditions caused by continuous heavy rain.

A notice signed by Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Md Saniul Ferdous on Friday night said the persistent rain has led to concern about communication in different parts of the hill district. In view of the weather conditions and potential risks and in continuation of the notice on Jul 8, tourist centres in the district will remain closed until Jul 15, it said.

All tourist centres, waterfalls, hill trails, river routes, remote areas and risky places in the district will be prohibited for tourists, tour operators and the general public over the period, the notice said.

Earlier, the local administration had issued a public notice announcing that all tourist centres in the district would be closed for five consecutive days from Jul 6-10. Meanwhile, as the weather worsened, the travel ban was extended by another notice on Jul 8 for two more days.

Now that ban has been extended for a third time.

However, there was no heavy rainfall in the district on Friday morning, carrying into the afternoon. Water has started receding slowly in different areas. However, residents living along the banks of the Sangu River near the town are still in shelters.

Direct traffic from the district town to certain Upazilas has been suspended due to landslides and waterlogging on certain roads. No long-distance buses are running, but passengers could be seen taking trips on motorcycles and jeeps in case of emergency.