Heavy rain due to Cyclone Remal caused the soil under two Bailey Bridges in Bandarban to erode, halting the movement of heavy vehicles from Bandarban to Ruma-Thanchi road in the district on Tuesday.
Moreover, the locals of the area were facing immense sufferings due to power outages for more than 15 hours.
Locals said torrential rains accompanied by gusty wind and storm due to Cyclone Remal were experienced in the district since Sunday.
Due to the stormy weather, many trees fell on power lines and disconnected the electricity connections in Bandarban Sadar, Thanchi and Ruma Upazilas for more than 15 hours. Moreover, prolonged mobile network outage disrupted communication in these areas. The soil erosion caused the bridges to cave in.
The movement of heavy vehicles on Ruma-Thanchi road in Bandarban was halted as soil was eroded under one Bailey Bridge near to Milanchhari Police Camp on Bandarban-Ruma-Thanchi road and soil was eroded under another Bailey Bridge in Farukpara-Shailpropat area.
Lineman of Thanchi Bus Owners’ Association, M Sahab Uddin, said movement of heavy vehicles from Bandarban to Ruma and Thanchi remained halted to avoid any risk as two bridges were damaged due to the cyclone. In-charge of Milanchhari Police Camp Rabindu Chakma said heavy rain caused cave in a part on the south side of a Bailey Bridge between Milanchhari Camp and Laimi Para and both sides of another Bailey Bridge in Farukpara-Shailpropat area. The movement of heavy vehicles were halted in the areas due to it.
Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shah Mujahid Uddin said all preparations have been taken from the district administration to combat the natural disaster. No major damage was reported so far in the district due to Cyclone Remal, he added.
He also said the vehicular movement from Bandarban to Ruma-Thanchi will be restored after repairing the Bailey Bridges very soon.
