Torrential rains have caused a major road collapse in the Jalalsi area of the Lohagara-Nahata regional road under Lohagara upazila in Narail, severing a vital transport link and creating immense hardship for local residents.

The incident occurred early Friday morning (June 20) when a section of the road completely gave way due to continuous heavy rainfall, forcing a complete halt to vehicular movement.

Md Nazrul Islam, executive engineer of the Narail Roads and Highways Department, said, “The road collapsed due to the rainfall.”

The disruption has severely affected thousands of residents, including patients, students, and daily wage earners who rely on the route for their daily commutes.

Local residents said signs of soil erosion had been visible in parts of the road for several days, especially in the Jalalsi area. Despite informing the concerned authorities, no preventive measures were taken. Eventually, under the pressure of relentless rainfall, the road collapsed entirely on Friday morning.

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“This road is used by thousands of people every day. Large portions of it have eroded. We risk our lives commuting on this road. I urge the authorities to repair it immediately for the sake of public safety,” said Raju Sheikh, a battery-run rickshaw driver and local resident.

Nayan, another resident of Jalalsi, added, “This road is our only means of communication. With it gone, it’s now extremely difficult to reach markets, schools, colleges, or hospitals.”

Shah Alam of nearby Noldi village echoed similar concerns. “We can't take patients out; rickshaws and motorbikes can't pass through. Even children can’t go to school. Our lives are now at risk,” he said.

Responding to the situation, Executive Eng Nazrul said that they took immediate action upon receiving the news and began repair and protective work within just three hours.

Emergency repair work is ongoing to temporarily restore vehicular movement, he added.