Relentless torrential rainfall and severe waterlogging have disrupted rail communications in Chittagong, leaving the Cox’s Bazar-bound Tourist Express stranded in the Sholashahar area of the port city. Submerged railway tracks forced the locomotive to a complete halt on Tuesday, 7 July, at approximately 12:40 pm. Roughly 1,000 passengers are currently trapped inside the carriages, facing immense distress just miles away from their coastal destination.
The sudden suspension of the journey has triggered widespread public anxiety and inconvenience. Hundreds of holidaymakers, including a large number of women and children, are stuck inside the stranded coaches amidst rising water levels outside. Several passengers expressed panic over the stagnant situation, as the surrounding water showed no immediate signs of receding.
Railway sources confirmed that the special tourist train had departed from Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station earlier that morning at 6:15 am. The journey proceeded on schedule until it crossed Chittagong’s Sholashahar station at 12:35 pm. Shortly after passing the platform, the driver noticed that the upcoming tracks were entirely under water due to inadequate urban drainage and heavy downpours. To eliminate the risk of water entering the locomotive engine—which could cause catastrophic mechanical failure or a potential derailment—the driver executed an emergency halt.
Nezam Uddin, the station master at Janalihat, briefed the media on the situation, confirming that train movements along the affected section had been suspended for safety reasons. He reiterated that around a thousand passengers remain on board the stationary Tourist Express whilst railway officials monitor the water levels.
Railway authorities are currently working to manage the situation and ensure passenger safety. To alleviate the suffering of the stranded commuters, the divisional traffic department has initiated a rescue plan. Plans are underway to dispatch an auxiliary locomotive to the site. This rescue engine will couple with the rear of the Tourist Express and pull the entire train backwards into the main Chittagong Railway Station. Passengers will be accommodated at the station until weather conditions improve and the flooded tracks are deemed safe for travel.
