Landslide cuts off Khagrachhari as torrential rains batter road

Road communications with Khagrachhari district and other parts of the country remained suspended since Sunday morning (3 August) following a landslide on a regional road in Rangamati due to heavy rain.

Locals said the Baghaichhari-Dighinala road became covered with soil due to overnight heavy rainfall, causing traffic to come to a halt from dawn.

Maksudur Rahman, executive engineer of Khagrachhari Roads and Highways Department, said efforts are underway to clear the road.

“Other roads in the district remain open and functioning normally,” he said.

Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shirin Akter said the army and other agencies are working to remove the chunks of soil and to resume the traffic.

Subhuti Chakma, a weather officer at Dighinala, said they recorded 53 millimetres of rain in the last 24 hours till 10am.

Since Saturday night (2 August), intermittent rainfall has caused rivers and canals, including Chenggi and Maini, to swell, with authorities urging residents living near vulnerable hillsides to stay alert.