Smaller vessel movement suspended

Movements of all smaller passenger and cargo vessels were suspended across the country on Wednesday till further notice due to inclement weather and rough river conditions.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority imposed the ban in the morning on movements of all vessels under 65-foot due to inclement weather and the ban would be lifted when the weather becomes normal, said its public relations officer Mobarak Hossain Mazumder.

Movements of small launches, speedboats and other small vessels from Sadarghat launch terminal, Dhaka to the southern districts, from Barishal to other districts, at coastal areas, and on major water channels like Shimulia-Kathalbari, Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat remained suspended on Wednesday.

Fishing boats and trawlers were asked to take shelter in safe places till weather conditions improve, officials of Barishal divisional weather office said.

Road communications with Bhola, Patuakhali, and Kuakata tourist zones were often disrupted as ferry gangways went under water and bad conditions of connecting roads forced suspension of ferry operations.

New Age correspondent in Barishal reported that port authorities restricted movements of motor-launch type water transports on 13 local routes and nine inter-district routes of Barishal region until further order.

The step was taken after the weather department asked river-port authorities to hoist cautionary weather signal No 2 from Wednesday morning following the creation of a low over North Bay and adjoining areas.

Under its influence, deep convocation is taking place over the coastal region.

BIWTA officials said that conditions of river estuaries and sea had remained very rough with high waves, strong tides and gusty winds since morning.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation’s Shimulia ghat assistant manager (commercial) Mohammad Faisal said that ferry services on Shimulia-Kathalbari channel were interrupted as the river Padma became rough due inclement weather, reported New Age Munshiganj correspondent.

BIWTC deputy general manager (ferry services) at Aricha office, Zillur Rahman, told New Age that 17 ferries were plying on Paturia-Daulatdia channel while movements of all smaller vessels were suspended on Aricha-Kazirhat channel.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net