Landslide halts road connectivity with Sajek Valley

Hundreds of holidaymakers have been stranded after road connectivity with Sajek Valley, a popular tourist destination, came to a halt following a landslide caused by rain.

The natural disaster occurred at the Nandaram area of Sajek union parishad under Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati on Tuesday night.

An army team began operations in the morning to remove chunks of mud to clear the road. 

Officials said the road communications are likely to resume in the afternoon.

Due to the disruption of the road communications, hundreds of holidaymakers have remained stranded on both sides of Sajek Valley.

United News of Bangladesh adds: Around 4,000 tourists have been stranded due to the disconnection of vehicular movement on Sajek-Khagrachhari road.

Rumana Akter, Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) said a huge portion of a hill collapsed at Nandaram in the morning, snapping the road communications.

Already the Bangladesh Army has started work to clear the road.

Supirno Deb Barman, president of Sajek Cottege Owners Association, said there are over 200 big and small size vehicles carrying tourists and many tourists had a plan to leave the place on Wednesday but unfortunately they got trapped in the area due to the landslide. 

However, no casualties were reported until the filling of this report around 3pm.

The Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati, Mizanur Rahman, said local people, local administration and army have been working to restore the road communication and it will take 4-5 hours more.