500 tourists cut off as landslides block Sajek road at three points

Landslides have occurred at three points along the Baghaighat-Sajek road in Rangamati’s Baghaichari Upazila. The incidents have halted traffic to the Sajek Valley, a tourist destination, and cutting off 500 tourists who travelled to the area.

The landslides occurred around 4am on Thursday on the road in the Nandaram area of Sajek union, said Upazila Nirbahi (executive) Officer Shireen Akhtar.

Sajek Union Parishad (council) Chairman Atulal Chakma, who was present at the scene, said: “There was a lot of rain on Wednesday night and there were landslides at three points in the early morning. This has led to a suspension of road traffic. The soil is being moved from the road.”

UNO Shireen said, “Locals, and Army and Fire Service personnel are working to clear the soil from the road after the landslide. It will take some time to clear soil from the road as there was a major landslide.”

Subarna Deb Barman, president of the Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners Association, said: “Traffic is suspended because of the landslide. As a result, over 500 tourists who travelled to the destination are cut off. They will return once the road is back to normal.”