Army Rescues 150 Tourists Stranded in Sajek Valley Due to Flooding
Approximately 150 tourists, who were stranded in Sajek Valley, Rangamati, have been safely evacuated with the assistance of the army. Heavy rainfall and flash floods caused significant road inundations along the Dighinala-Baghaighat-Machalong-Sajek route, trapping around 561 tourists. The rescue operation involved using boats to ferry stranded individuals across submerged road sections, particularly near Machalong Bazar and Baghaighat Bazar, before they were transported to safety via road. The evacuated group comprised about 10 children, 100 men, and 40 women, with priority given to those with urgent needs. Supen Deb Barman, president of the Sajek Cottage and Resort Owners Association, confirmed that while resort owners provided free accommodation, tourists had to cover their own food expenses. Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate of Rangamati District, Sheikh Salman, stated that efforts are underway to ensure the safe return of the remaining over 400 tourists still in Sajek.
This event highlights the vulnerability of tourist destinations to extreme weather events, exacerbated by infrastructure challenges. The reliance on army intervention underscores the need for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure in remote areas like Sajek Valley. Future planning should consider climate change impacts, potentially necessitating improved early warning systems and diversified transportation options to mitigate risks for both tourists and local businesses. The situation also points to the financial strain on local service providers during such crises, suggesting a need for contingency planning and support mechanisms to ensure business continuity and tourist welfare.
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