Army rescues tourists, restores roads as floods and landslides batter CHT

Highlights:

• 221 families relocated from landslide-prone areas
• 140 tourists rescued from Bandarban
• Evacuation of 600 stranded tourists in Sajek underway
• Army restoring road links, distributing relief

The Bangladesh Army has continued rescue, relief and road restoration operations across the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) as heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides disrupted normal life in the region.

In a press release issued on Thursday (9 July), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the army is working in coordination with the local administration, other security forces and relevant government agencies to rescue affected people, relocate vulnerable families, distribute relief and restore communications.

According to the ISPR, landslides and waterlogging have disrupted road connectivity in several areas. Army personnel, using engineering equipment and heavy machinery, are clearing earth and debris to reopen roads.

The army has also relocated around 221 families from high-risk landslide zones to safer shelters.

The Army has taken steps to rescue stranded tourists in remote areas. So far, 140 tourists have been rescued from Bandarban, while evacuation of around 600 tourists stranded in Sajek is underway. In the first phase, 150 tourists have already been moved to safety with support from the local administration, while the remaining tourists will be evacuated in phases.

The Army is also distributing cooked meals, dry food, drinking water and other emergency relief supplies to affected communities. Rice, lentils, edible oil, potatoes and other essential food items are being distributed among both hill communities and Bengali families affected by the disaster.

The ISPR added that the Army is closely monitoring the overall situation and will continue rescue, relief, road restoration and rehabilitation efforts in coordination with the local administration and other relevant authorities.