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Published : 08 Jul 2026, 01:11 PM
Relentless heavy rain has thrown life into disarray across the Khagrachhari district, with hill runoff swelling rivers and flooding low-lying areas, cutting off road links and forcing several families into shelters.
Submerged roads have cut off transport links between Khagrachhari and Rangamati's tourist hub Sajek, stranding tourists who had travelled there.
Baghaichari Upazila administrator (UNO) Amena Marjan said hill runoff and heavy rain had submerged the Dighinala-Sajek road at Kabakhali, Baghaihat Bazar and Machalong Bazar, stranding tourists in Sajek.
She said they would be brought back once the water receded.
Ziaul Haque, office secretary of the Sajek Cottage Resort Owners' Association, said several stretches of road had gone under water, leaving more than 500 tourists stranded at Sajek's Ruilui and Konglak tourist spots.
He said stranded tourists were being given a 50 percent discount on room rent.
The Upazila administration and local sources said the headquarters bridge in Merung UInion, on the Khagrachhari-Dighinala-Langadu road, along with several other stretches of the road, had also gone under water.
Roads in the Boro Merung, Bame Atarakchhara and Tentul areas were similarly submerged.
As a result, road communication between Dighinala and Langadu has remained cut off since Tuesday afternoon, with both long-distance vehicles and local residents unable to travel.
Some people were seen wading through waist-deep water to get around.
Water levels are also rising in the district's other major rivers, including the Maini and Chengi, with overflowing streams and canals causing waterlogging in several Upazilas.
Water entering homes and roads has left residents of low-lying areas facing severe hardship, with people and livestock being moved to safer shelters.
Dighinala UNO Tanjil Parvej said a disaster response team had been formed in the Upazila, with 20 shelters opened so far.
"Around 25 families have taken shelter at the government primary school next to Merung Raja's residence. They are being provided food and safe drinking water," he said.
He added that local representatives had been directed to keep shelters ready in their respective areas, with medical teams, Fire Service personnel and Red Crescent members on standby to respond quickly.
The risk of landslides has also grown across the district amid the persistent rain, with landslides already reported on the Khagrachhari-Mahalchhari road at Sindukchhari and on the Guimara road.
The district administration has repeatedly urged families living precariously at the foot of hills to move to safer locations.
Deputy Commissioner Md Anwar Sadat said 135 shelters, including various schools, madrasas and colleges, had been opened across the district, with dry food and other necessary supplies in place.
