Heavy rains submerge Khagrachhari-Rangamati road, communication cut off

The Khagrachhari-Rangamati road has been submerged at several points due to continuous heavy rainfall, halting all vehicular movement since Tuesday morning. As a result, road communication between Khagrachhari and Rangamati has been effectively severed.

The incessant rain since Monday has left the road under knee-deep water at Chabbish Mile, Maischari and Kerengenala areas in Mahalchhari upazila, causing immense suffering for local residents. People have been forced to wade through water for urgent travel.

Visiting the Maischari area on Tuesday morning, knee-deep and waist-deep water was seen covering the road. The closure of sluice gates on irrigation canals, preventing rainwater drainage, is believed to be the primary cause of the submersion. Schoolchildren were seen wading through floodwater to return home.

The water levels of the Chengi and Maini rivers, along with various canals and streams, are rising rapidly. Water began entering low-lying areas of the district headquarters, Mahalchhari and Dighinala from midday. The risk of landslides has also increased due to the heavy downpour, though no landslides have been reported so far.

The district administration and local representatives have started working to relocate residents from at-risk areas to safer locations. Residents of Shalban, Mohammadpur, Shabujbag and Comilla Tila areas in the district town have been urged to move to shelters.

Hundreds of families living on hill slopes in Kala Bagan, Nanshibazar, Mollapara, Kaibalyapith, Atharo Paribar, Shalban and Mohammadpur are currently at risk. The administration has called on them to leave the foothills and move to safe locations.

Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Md Anwar Sadat said the administration is fully prepared to tackle any disaster. Dry food and adequate drinking water have been stockpiled. Schools in flood-prone areas have been prepared as shelters. The situation is being closely monitored, he added.