Water on the Railway Tracks
Cox’s Bazar Bound Parjatak Express Stranded
Photo: Agamir Somoy
The Parjatak Express was stranded with nearly 1,000 passengers on board after heavy rainfall submerged railway tracks in Chattogram on Tuesday.
The train came to a halt around 12:45 pm near the Sunnia Madrasa area in Sholoshahar shortly after departing Chattogram Railway Station. Rail services on the Chattogram-Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar route have been temporarily suspended due to the flooding.
By 4:30 pm, railway authorities brought the train back to Sholoshahar Station, leaving passengers stranded and causing significant inconvenience.
Janali Hat Station Master Nezam Uddin confirmed the incident.
“The Parjatak Express left Chattogram Station at 12:45 pm and was heading toward Sholoshahar. However, excessive water accumulated over the tracks near Sunnia Madrasa forced us to stop the train to ensure passenger safety,” he said.
He also said that train operations cannot resume until floodwater recedes from the railway tracks.
According to the Railway Control Room, once the water level drops, engineers from the railway’s engineering division will inspect the tracks to determine whether they are safe for operations. The train will resume its journey to Cox’s Bazar only after receiving clearance.
Railway officials said three consecutive days of rainfall, followed by heavy downpours early Tuesday, inundated low-lying areas of Chattogram, including sections of the railway tracks near Sholoshahar and Jan ali Hat.
The unexpected flooding left hundreds of passengers stranded mid-journey, causing severe travel disruptions. Railway authorities said the train will continue to Cox’s Bazar after the tracks are declared safe for operation.
