Chattogram-Cox's Bazar rail services suspended as tracks go under floodwater again

Train services on the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar route have been suspended after continuous rainfall and flash floods from surrounding hills submerged parts of the railway line.

Bangladesh Railway Director of Public Relations Anisur Rahman said around two feet of water had inundated the tracks between Janalihat and Sholoshahar stations today (8 July).

For safety reasons, railway authorities have temporarily suspended all train operations on the route until the water recedes, he said.

The suspension follows the cancellation of the Cox's Bazar-bound Parjatak Express last night after the train remained stranded for nearly 11 hours due to flooding.

Railway sources said the Parjatak Express departed Dhaka's Kamalapur Railway Station at 6:15am with around 800 passengers and was scheduled to reach Cox's Bazar at 2:45pm.

However, the train became stranded near Sholoshahar Station in Chattogram around 12:30pm after heavy rainfall submerged railway tracks in several parts of the city.

It was initially halted near the Sunnia Madrasha area in Muradpur before being moved to the front of Sholoshahar Railway Station.

Farhan Mahmud, divisional transport officer of Bangladesh Railway's Chattogram division, said nearly 20 inches of water remained over the tracks.

"Train engines cannot operate safely unless the water level drops to at least six inches," he said.

Railway authorities said passengers of the cancelled services are being provided full ticket refunds.

Four pairs of trains — two pairs from Chattogram and two from Dhaka — operate daily on the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar route.

Sholoshahar Railway Station Master Ariful Islam said no trains had operated on the route since this morning due to the flooded tracks.

He said train services would resume once the water recedes and the line is declared safe for operation.