RMG exports facing setback as severe floods cut off transportation networks with Ctg

Bangladesh's export of readymade garments (RMG), one of the lifelines of the country's economy, is facing a setback as floods have left Chattogram, the country's vital port city, completely isolated from the rest of the country.

RMG sector traders said they are not able to transport RMG goods as vehicular movements on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway have come to a halt due to ongoing floods.

"We have learned from our transport sources that the Lemua Bridge in Feni has been damaged due to severe flooding in the last two days. It is disrupting all types of traffic on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway," Abdullah Hil Rakib, vice-president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), told The Business Standard this evening. 

As a result, exporters are not able to transport RMG cargoes, he said.

"I urge the Bangladesh Army and others concerned to fix the damaged bridge as soon as possible so that vehicular movement on the highway resumes," he added.

Chattogram has become completely isolated from the rest of the country as severe floods have submerged major transportation routes to the southeastern district since Thursday and still remains inundated. 

The cut off has brought all trains, long-distance buses, and goods-laden trucks and covered vans to a standstill. Vehicles that were already on the road before the Dhaka-Chattogram highway flooded are now stranded along the Mirsarai stretch, causing a massive 40-kilometre tailback.

Prices of essentials across the country are likely to see an impact as Chattogram's Khatunganj is the country's largest wholesale market for consumer goods. Though most of the market usually remains closed on Fridays, the impact of the flood will likely be seen today.

The first disruption came Thursday morning when rail communication was halted due to flood waters overtaking the railway tracks on the Feni to Comilla stretch. By evening, road connectivity was also cut off as rising waters forced the suspension of traffic on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

Khairul Alam, superintendent of police for the Cumilla Region Highway Police, confirmed the situation, and said, "Floodwaters are flowing over several sections of the highway from Lalpool in Feni to Chauddagram in Cumilla. As the flood water increased, traffic movement was suspended on Thursday evening."

This breakdown in transportation is severely impacting Chattogram port, a vital hub for the national economy. 

Omar Faruque, secretary of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), noted that the lack of vehicles due to the disconnection is hindering delivery operations. 

However, he assured that container handling from ships remains unaffected for now but expressed concern about potential container congestion if the situation continues, as cargo handling at the outer anchorage has already been disrupted by rough weather.

Private Inland Container Depots (ICDs), which handle 90% of the country's exports, are also feeling the strain. 

Ruhul Amin Sikdar, general secretary of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association, reported a significant drop in the arrival of vehicles carrying export goods to the 19 ICDs in Chattogram since Thursday evening. 

Despite this, he confirmed that shipment of export goods within Chattogram remains unaffected.

The suspension of road and rail services is a major blow, as over 600 vehicles typically travel daily from Chattogram to various parts of the country. 

The main routes connecting Chattogram to other regions pass through flood-affected areas like Feni and Cumilla. 

Kofil Uddin Ahmed, general secretary of the Inter-District Bus Owners Association, confirmed that all bus services from Chattogram have been halted since Thursday due to the worsening flood conditions.

The railway network has also been severely compromised, with sections of the track between Feni and Fazilpur submerged and water flowing over bridges. 

Md Saiful Islam, railway divisional manager in Chattogram, said, "Train movement is stopped due to the water on the tracks. We will assess the damage to the railway line once the water recedes."