Chattogram cut off from rest of the country as floods devastate transport networks

Chattogram, Bangladesh's vital port city, has become completely isolated from the rest of the country as relentless floods submerged key transportation routes, including the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and railway lines on the Feni to Cumilla stretch, since Thursday.

Rail communication was the first to be halted on Thursday morning when floodwaters overtook the tracks. By evening, road connectivity was also disconnected as rising waters forced the suspension of traffic on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. 

The disruption has brought the movement of all trains, long-distance buses, and goods-laden trucks and covered vans to a standstill. 

Vehicles that had already departed before the highway was cut off are now stranded on the Mirsarai stretch, creating a massive 40-kilometre tailback.

Khairul Alam, superintendent of Police for the Cumilla Region Highway Police, confirmed the situation, saying, "Floodwaters are flowing over several sections of the highway from Lalpool in Feni to Chauddagram in Cumilla. As the flood water increased, traffic movement was suspended on Thursday evening."

The transportation breakdown is having severe impacts for Chattogram Port, a crucial hub for the nation's economy. 

Omer Faruque, secretary of the Chattogram Port Authority, noted that the lack of vehicles due to the disconnection is hampering delivery operations. However, he assured that container handling from ships remains unaffected for now. 

Faruque also expressed concern about potential container congestion if the situation persists, as cargo handling at the outer anchorage has already been disrupted by rough weather.

Private Inland Container Depots (ICDs), which handle 90% of the country's exports, are also feeling the strain. 

Ruhul Amin Sikdar, general secretary of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association, reported a significant drop in the arrival of vehicles carrying export goods to the 19 ICDs in Chattogram since Thursday evening. Despite this, he confirmed that shipment of export goods within Chattogram remains unaffected.

The suspension of road and rail services is a major blow, as over 600 vehicles typically travel daily from Chattogram to various parts of the country. The main routes connecting Chattogram to other regions pass through flood-affected areas like Feni and Cumilla. 

Kofil Uddin Ahmed, general secretary of the Inter-District Bus Owners Association, confirmed that all bus services from Chattogram have been halted since Thursday due to the worsening flood conditions.

The railway network has been severely compromised, with sections of the track between Feni and Fazilpur submerged and water flowing over bridges. 

Md Saiful Islam, railway divisional manager in Chattogram, said, "Train movement is stopped due to water on the tracks. We will assess the damage to the railway line once the water recedes."