Bhola: Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has temporarily halted the launch services on 20 internal river routes of the district due to inclement weather and monsoon wind. All rivers in the coastal region remained rough, forcing the water transports to suspend operation since August 17 last.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, sufferings of the passengers of the different river routes multiplied as the launch services and the sea truck on different internal routes remained suspended. Although the low pressure on the North Bay of Bengal is gradually being weakened, the cautionary Signal no-3 has been hoisted, said M Moniruzzaman, observer of Bhola meteorological department. All the sea-going trawlers and boats were asked to remain near the seashore area until further notice.
Movement of launches and sea trucks from Ilisha to Lakshmipur, Manpura to Dhaka, and Charfashion to Dhaka remained suspended. Other internal routes under suspension include Ilisha-Mehendiganj, Bhola-Baufal, Lalmohon-Nazirpur, Dowlatkhan-Char Alexander, Tajumuddin-Manpura, Manpura-Hatia, Charfashion-Manpura, Charfashion-Dhaka, Manpura-Dhaka, Gosherhat of Charfashion-Dhaka, Hakimuddin under Borhanuddin-Dhaka, Beduriaghat-Laharhat of Barishal, Katchapia of Charfashion-Dulchar, Katchia of Charfashion to Kukri-Mukri, Katchia of Charfashion-Char Patila, Abubakarpur of Charfashion-Dashmina, Tulatoli of Bhola sadar-Majherchar, Illisha of Bhola sadar-Ramdashpur, and Nasirmaji of Bhola sadar-Char Madanpur union of Dawlatkhan.
However, some ferries are in service on Bhola-Barishal and Bhola-Laksmipur routes, said Traffic in-charge of BIWTA M Parvez. Launch service on the routes will remain suspended until the weather becomes normal, said Bhola port official Riad Hossain.