Due to floodwaters submerging the northern districts of the country, the rail tracks in this region have suffered a slight damage.

A three-kilometre-long stretch of rail tracks in Lalmonirhat district was inundated by the ongoing flooding, leading to a restriction on train speeds, with trains operating at a maximum of 8-10 kilometres per hour on the affected routes.

According to railway sources, two sections of railway lines in the northern region were affected by flooding—Teesta-Lalmonirhat and Teesta-Kaunia sections.

Although there hasn’t been any significant damage, soil and stones have reportedly been displaced from the tracks in certain areas.

On Sunday, despite the risk, the railway authorities kept trains running at reduced speeds throughout the day. At the same time, emergency repairs were carried out on the affected tracks.

When asked about the situation, Md Asadul Haque, chief engineer (West), Bangladesh Railway, told the Daily Sun, “Floodwaters rose on Sunday, but they started receding somewhat by Monday. Train operations have not been halted. Trains are running as usual, though at reduced speeds.”

“On the damaged tracks, trains are operating at a speed of 10kmph. For now, there is no major risk to train operations. However, we cannot predict what will happen if the floodwaters rise again,” he added.

In a damage report following last month’s floods, Bangladesh Railway noted a total financial loss of Tk43.29 crore. Of this, the Eastern region suffered the most, with losses amounting to Tk32.6 crore, while the Western region incurred losses of Tk9.67 crore.

Additionally, Tk1.02 crore was lost in the signaling system of the Eastern region.

When asked what measures could be taken to prevent damage to railway tracks from floods, Md Hadiuzzaman, a transport expert and professor at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), told the Daily Sun, “Many railway tracks in Bangladesh were constructed during the British period, with wooden sleepers, which increases the risk of accidents and displacement of soil and stones during rain.”

“It is essential to modernise the railway tracks now. Instead of wooden sleepers, concrete sleepers can be used, as they are much more durable and long-lasting. Moreover, ballastless railway tracks, which do not use stones, can also be built to minimise the impact of rising waters. In areas prone to flooding, tracks can be constructed on elevated grounds to avoid such risks,” he stated.