Rangamati, August 4 (V7N) – Continuous heavy rainfall and runoff from upstream have triggered multiple landslides in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati, blocking the only inter-district road connecting the remote hill town to neighboring Khagrachhari. The affected road, Marishya–Dighinala Highway, became impassable early Sunday morning following a night of intense rain.
 
According to local authorities, landslides occurred at the 9, 10 and 14-kilometer marks of the route around 6:30 AM. As a result, all vehicular movement has come to a halt, leaving long-distance buses including those operated by Shanti Paribahan, as well as many smaller vehicles, stranded. Over a hundred passengers are reportedly facing severe travel disruptions.
 
The road blockage has further worsened the situation in low-lying parts of Baghaichhari, where floodwaters have inundated several internal roads. Local residents are experiencing increasing hardship, with no immediate relief in sight due to ongoing rain.
 
Gias Uddin Nasir, general secretary of the Baghaichhari Transport Owners’ Association and a route coordinator for Shanti Paribahan, confirmed the incident and stated, “So far, landslides have been reported at three different points. All vehicles are stranded, and clearing work has not yet begun.”
 
One stranded passenger, Mohammad Arman, said, “We’ve been stuck on the road since morning. The rain is relentless, and we fear further landslides may occur.”
 
Priyodarshi Chakma, an official of the Khagrachhari Roads and Highways Department, said they have received the report and deployed both workers and a payload loader to clear the debris. He warned that it may take some time before the road is reopened for traffic.
 
Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shirine Akhter confirmed the road closure due to landslides and urged all residents living near the base of hills to evacuate to safer locations as a precaution against further geological hazards. Authorities remain on high alert due to continued rainfall in the region.
 
END/AMR/SMA/