Recent severe flooding, persistent heavy rain and hill runoff have damaged 58 rural roads and 60 bridges and culverts in Banshkhali, Chattogram. The damage became clear after flood and rainwater receded, leaving the upazila’s rural and main transport network in severely disrupted condition. Upazila Engineer Ifrad Bin Munir said 109 kilometres of roads, including road surfaces, were affected.

Internal roads in Saral, Katharia, Shekerkhil, Chambal, Shilkhup, Jaldi municipality, Puichhari, Napora, Bailchhari, Kalipur, Sadhanpur and Pukuria have been washed away in places, with carpeting and bricks removed. Earthen roads have developed large holes and become unusable. Parts of Banshkhali’s only main road were submerged by runoff, making vehicle travel risky and causing daily accidents and damage to vehicles, according to drivers and passengers.

Union representatives said many roads, bridges and culverts remain damaged and hazardous. In Chhanua, roads in Madhukhali, Chhoto Chhanua and Khudukkhali have largely disappeared, while Khankhanabad faces river erosion. Roads and Highways sub-assistant engineer Didarul Islam said six kilometres of road were damaged. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ruhul Amin said engineers and Roads and Highways officials were directed to repair affected roads quickly.