Around 500 tourists have been stranded in the Sajek tourist destination in Rangamati's Baghaichhari upazila after continuous heavy rainfall and hill runoff inundated sections of the Khagrachhari-Sajek road, disrupting vehicular movement since Wednesday.
Rahul Chakma John, organising secretary of the Sajek Cottage and Resort Owners' Association, said nearly 500 tourists were stranded after the road at Machalong in Sajek went underwater.
However, he said resorts were providing stranded tourists with food and ensuring their safety.
Meanwhile, Md Jasim Uddin, a vehicle driver on the Sajek route, said roads at several points, including Kabakhali in Dighinala and Machalong in Sajek, had been submerged, completely severing road communication with the tourist destination.
Sajek Union Parishad Secretary Biswajit Chakraborty said between 450 and 500 tourists were currently stranded due to road flooding at Machalong, Simanachhara and Kabakhali.
"The tourists will be able to return safely once floodwaters recede from the roads," he said.
The local administration said it was closely monitoring the situation and would arrange for the safe evacuation of stranded tourists once road communication was restored.
Authorities have also advised residents of hilly areas and tourists to remain on maximum alert.
Meanwhile, considering the risks of continuous rainfall, landslides and flash floods, the Rangamati district administration on Tuesday night temporarily closed the Sajek tourist destination through an emergency public notice.
The notice urged tourists to refrain from travelling to Sajek until further instructions are issued.
