Heavy overnight rainfall triggered multiple landslides along the Sajek road, severing road communication and leaving at least 425 tourists stranded on both sides of the route.
The incident was confirmed on Thursday (July 24) by Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sharirin Akhter, who stated that no casualties had been reported so far.
According to Atulal Chakma, Chairman of Sajek Union Parishad, landslides occurred in the Nandaram, Chailyatali, and Champok Nagar areas along the Sajek–Baghaihat road due to the heavy rainfall. As a result, vehicular movement between Dighinala and Khagrachhari has come to a complete halt.
“We’ve engaged local residents to begin clearing the debris,” said Chakma. “However, it is impossible to remove large rocks and fallen trees without heavy machinery like bulldozers. The matter has been reported to the Army’s 6 Bengal Baghaihat Zone and the Baghaichhari UNO.”
UNO Sharirin Akhter added that at least three separate landslides had taken place along the route, cutting off road access between Sajek, Baghaichhari, and Khagrachhari, and leaving 425 tourists trapped in Sajek Valley.
Following the incident, Dighinala Fire Service, the Bangladesh Army, and the local administration began efforts to clear the debris. “The presence of large boulders is causing delays, but the army has been deployed and is working on the ground. Once the road is cleared, the stranded tourists will be able to return safely,” she said.
