All 561 tourists stranded in Sajek Valley due to flash floods and heavy rainfall have been evacuated safely as the flood situation in the area improves.
The final group of 411 tourists left the hill resort on Friday morning, completing a two-phase evacuation operation carried out with the assistance of the Bangladesh Army and local residents.
According to local authorities and the Sajek Valley Resort and Cottage Owners Association, the tourists became stranded after continuous heavy rainfall submerged several sections of the Machalong-Baghaihat-Dighinala road, disrupting communication with the area.
During Friday’s evacuation, the remaining tourists were transported across flooded sections of the road using boats and bamboo rafts. Earlier, 150 tourists were evacuated in the first phase on Thursday.
Suporna Debbarman, president of the Sajek Valley Resort and Cottage Owners Association, confirmed that no tourists remain stranded in the valley.
She said the association arranged accommodation for the stranded visitors at local resorts and cottages during the crisis without charging any room fees.
Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Amena Marjan said all stranded tourists remained safe throughout the period and had now left the area.
Despite the successful evacuation, restrictions on visiting waterfalls, resorts and tourist spots remain in place across Rangamati, including Sajek Valley.
The deputy commissioner imposed the restrictions on Tuesday evening as a precautionary measure amid adverse weather conditions and concerns over possible landslides and further flooding.
