Army rescues 150 stranded tourists from Sajek, over 400 still marooned

The Bangladesh Army has rescued 150 tourists stranded in Sajek Valley after heavy rainfall and flash floods cut off road communication with the popular hill destination.

They had been safely brought back to Khagrachhari district headquarters by thursday evening (July 9), Sheikh Salman, assistant commissioner and executive magistrate of Rangamati, confirmed, saying that while more than 400 others remain in Sajek.

He said the remaining tourists will be brought back in phases once weather conditions improve and evacuation routes become safer.

According to local authorities, several sections of the Dighinala–Baghaihat–Machalong–Sajek road were submerged following days of heavy rain and hill runoff, suspending traffic on the Khagrachhari–Sajek route from Wednesday morning. As a result, 561 tourists became stranded in Sajek.

The evacuation is being carried out under the supervision of the Khagrachhari Region (203 Infantry Brigade) of the Bangladesh Army's 24 Infantry Division, with personnel from Baghaihat Zone (14 East Bengal) leading the operation.

Army personnel used rafts and boats to transport stranded visitors across flooded sections to Dighinala, from where they continued their journeys to their respective destinations.

Officials said the first batch of evacuees included approximately 100 men, 40 women and 10 children, with priority given to those facing urgent travel needs.

President of the Sajek Cottage and Resort Owners' Association, Suparna Dev Barman, said resort owners are providing stranded tourists with free accommodation, although they are unable to bear the cost of meals for everyone.

"We have ensured free lodging, but tourists are covering their own food expenses," he said.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as adverse weather persists across the hill districts.