Train services on Chattogram–Cox's Bazar route have been suspended after continuous rainfall and flash flood from surrounding hills submerged parts of the railway line.
Bangladesh Railway's Director of Public Relations Anisur Rahman said around two feet of water has inundated the railway tracks between Janalihat and Sholoshahar stations on Wednesday.
For safety reasons railway authorities have temporarily suspended all train operations on the route until water levels recede, he said.
The suspension follows Tuesday night's cancellation of the Parjatak Express which was bound for Cox's Bazar.
The train service was canceled at around 11:00 pm after being stranded for nearly 11 hours due to flood.
Railway sources said the Parjatak Express departed Dhaka's Kamalapur Railway Station at 6:15 am with approximately 800 passengers and was scheduled to reach Cox's Bazar at 2:45 pm.
However, the train became stranded near Sholoshahar Station in Chattogram at around 12:30 pm after heavy rainfall submerged railway tracks in several parts of the city.
It was initially halted near Sunnia Madrasha area in Muradpur before being moved to the front of Sholoshahar Railway Station.
Farhan Mahmud, Divisional Transport Officer of Bangladesh Railway's Chattogram Division, said nearly 20 inches of water remained over the tracks. "Train engines cannot operate safely unless the water level drops to at least six inches," he said.
Railway authorities said passengers of the canceled services are being provided full ticket refunds.
Four pairs of trains including two pairs from Chattogram and two pairs from Dhaka operate on Chattogram–Cox's Bazar railway route daily.
Sholoshahar Railway Station Master Ariful Islam said no trains have operated on the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar route since Wednesday morning due to flooded tracks.
He added that train services will resume once the water recedes and the line is declared safe for operation.
