Rangamati’s Hanging Bridge Submerged in Lake Waters, Tourist Movement Restricted

Dipto Hannan

The famous Hanging Bridge in Rangamati has been submerged due to a sudden increase in the water level of Kaptai Lake caused by heavy upstream mountain slumps and continuous rains. On Saturday afternoon, the wooden pathways of this well-known tourist destination in the Deer Park area started to submerge. The monument, which is run by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, frequently attracts large numbers of both domestic and foreign tourists. However, monsoon flooding frequently disrupts tourist operations by submerging the lowest portions of the structure, making it inaccessible for visitors and raising serious safety issues for the general public.

The Rangamati Parjatan Corporation’s manager, Mr. Alok Bikash Chakma, addressed the situation and said that the hanging bridge started sinking on Saturday afternoon due to the rising water levels. He noted that pedestrian and tourist traffic on the bridge has been temporarily restricted to prioritize public safety. He said that next steps on the site’s reopening won’t be made until the water level falls and local circumstances return to normal.

The Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station’s five operating units are producing 22 megawatts of energy as a result of the lake’s current water level reaching 105.54 MSL, according to data gathered by the facility. Travelers visiting from far-off places, many of whom are forced to return from the entrance, have been deeply disappointed by the sudden closure. The main attraction for tourists is the integrated panorama of Kaptai Lake, the nearby hills, and the bridge; thus, local business owners have expressed serious concerns about the continuous disturbance to their means of livelihood.

The bridge floods nearly every monsoon season, a problem that has affected the area’s tourism industry for the past ten years, according to locals. As a result, locals and tourist stakeholders have long called for a long-term solution, such as modernizing the bridge’s infrastructure and increasing its total height. By putting these structural improvements into place, Rangamati’s prosperous, tourism-dependent economy would be safeguarded, the monument would be made more durable, and tourists would be able to use it year-round even during periods of heavy rain.