Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended operations of all types of river vessels on all inland and coastal routes from 10am on Friday due to the cyclonic storm Midhili.
The directive will remain in force until further notice, according to Water Transport Authority.
The maritime ports of Payra and Mongla have been advised to hoist danger signal no. 7 as the cyclonic storm Midhili now lies over North West Bay and adjoining areas, according to a Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD special bulletin.
Meanwhile, the maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to hoist danger signal no. 6.
The cyclonic storm now lies over northwest Bay and adjoining areas and moved north-northeastwards over the same area. It was centered at 9am Friday about 415 kms west-southwest of Chattogram port, 395 kms west-southwest of Coxs' Bazer port, 265 kms southwest of Mongla port and 270 kms southwest of Payra port, according to the special bulletin.
The cyclonic storm is likely to move north-northeastward and may cross the Mongla-Payra coast near Khepupara by Friday evening. And the peririphery of the cyclone may start crossing the coast by Friday noon, according to the BMD.
