Due to the impact of Cyclone 'Dana', formed in the Bay of Bengal, all types of waterway transport services on the Lakshmipur-Bhola-Barishal routes have been suspended.
The decision was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon by Shariful Islam, the traffic supervisor at Majuchowdhury Haat launch terminal in Laxmipur, and Parvez Khan, the commercial manager of the Lakshmipur-Bhola ferry terminal.
Parvez Khan stated that there are currently four ferries operating on the Lakshmipur-Bhola route. Among them, the ferry 'Kaveri' has already departed from Bhola towards Laxmipur, and the ferry 'Sufia Kamal' will leave from Laxmipur for Bhola shortly.
After this trip, ferry operations will remain halted until further notice. The ferries 'Konok Chapa' and 'Begum Rokeya' are currently stationed at the Majuchowdhury Hat terminal in Lakshmipur.
Shariful Islam mentioned that due to the cyclone, a level 3 warning signal has been issued in the river. As a result, all launch services were suspended from 2:30 PM.
However, there is a possibility of one launch departing for Bhola around 12:30 AM, depending on the weather. If the river remains rough, the launch will not be allowed to sail.
He further explained that there are 11 launches that operate on the Laxmipur-Bhola-Barishal route, two of which serve the Barishal route and the remaining nine are for the Bhola route. Until further instructions, all launch services will remain suspended.
It is important to note that the Laxmipur-Bhola-Barishal waterway, via the Meghna River, serves as a vital connection for 21 southern districts, including Chattogram, Feni, and Sylhet. During festivals like Eid and Puja, as well as public holidays, the route sees a significant influx of passengers. Additionally, the route is commonly used for the transport of goods.
Meanwhile, Laxmipur has been experiencing intermittent light rain since morning due to the effects of Cyclone Dana.
