Adverse weather conditions triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal have brought launch and ferry operations on Bhola’s inland waterways to a standstill. Since Friday morning, both the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) have suspended services on all major river routes in the district.

The Meghna and Tetulia rivers, which flow through Bhola, have become increasingly turbulent due to persistent drizzle and gusty winds. As a result, launch and ferry operations across ten routes have been halted until further notice.

The affected routes include Ilisha-Lakshmipur, Daulatkhan-Alexander, Tajumuddin-Monpura, Monpura-Dhaka, Hatiya-Dhaka, and Charfashion-Dhaka among others. These inland routes are crucial for passenger travel and goods transportation, especially for people commuting between Bhola and districts such as Noakhali, Lakshmipur, and Chattogram.

The suspension of services has left many passengers stranded, especially those attempting to return to their workplaces after spending the holidays with family. At the Ilisha launch terminal in Bhola, dozens of passengers were seen waiting with luggage, hoping for an update that would allow them to resume their journeys.

Some passengers shared their frustrations, saying they had arrived at the terminal unaware of the suspension. After waiting for several hours, many were forced to return home. The disruption has also impacted truck drivers transporting goods across the region, who now face logistical delays and financial strain due to the standstill in ferry movement.

According to Md. Jasim Uddin, Transport Inspector at the Bhola River Port under BIWTA, a signal alert has been issued for the coastal and river ports. Signal No. 3 is in effect for sea ports and Signal No. 1 for river ports, resulting in increasingly choppy river conditions.

He stated that the current rough weather poses a serious threat to small and medium-sized watercraft. For safety reasons, launch services on Bhola’s inland routes will remain suspended until further instructions are issued.

Additionally, ferry operations on the Bhola-Lakshmipur route have also been suspended since Friday morning, adding to the transportation woes of the region.

Authorities have urged passengers to remain updated through official channels and to avoid attempting unauthorized or risky travel during this period of unstable weather. The situation will continue to be assessed by meteorological and transport officials to ensure public safety before services can resume.