Train services on the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar route have remained suspended since Wednesday morning as floodwaters continue to submerge railway tracks.
Earlier, railway authorities cancelled the onward journey of the Cox's Bazar-bound Parjatak Express at around 11pm on Tuesday after the train remained stranded for nearly 11 hours, leaving passengers, including children and elderly people, in severe distress.
The train departed from Dhaka's Kamalapur Railway Station at 6:15am with around 800 passengers and was scheduled to reach Cox's Bazar at 2:45pm. However, it became stranded near Chittagong's Sholoshahar station at around 12:30pm after heavy rainfall inundated railway tracks at several points across the port city.
The train was initially halted near Muradpur Sunnia Madrasa before being moved to the front of Sholoshahar Railway Station.
Railway Chittagong Divisional Transport Officer Farhan Mahmud said around 20 inches of water had accumulated over the tracks.
"It is not possible to operate the locomotive until the water level drops to at least six inches. Although the water receded slightly in the evening, heavier rainfall at night caused it to rise again. Considering the situation and ensuring passenger safety, we were compelled to cancel the journey at around 11pm," he said.
The late-night cancellation left passengers facing significant hardship.
Sholoshahar Railway Station Master Ariful Islam told Dhaka Tribune that no trains had operated on the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar route since Wednesday morning.
"Water is still covering the tracks. Train services will resume once the water recedes," he said.
