Ferry services suspended in Hatia due to inclement weather

Ferry, sea-truck and all other forms of waterway transport have been suspended in Noakhali’s island Upazila of Hatia due to inclement weather.

As a result, passengers and cargo vehicles are stranded at Chairman jetty and Nalchira jetty in Hatia.

Mohammad Faisal, manager of the ferry Mahananda, which operates between Chairman jetty and Nalchira jetty, said: “The ferry service has been suspended because a local cautionary signal No. 3 is in effect and the waves in the river are very high. Ferry operations will resume once the signal is withdrawn.”

Akbar Hossain, a fish wholesaler at Chairman jetty, said: “On Wednesday afternoon, after the Mahananda returned from Nalchira jetty and dropped off passengers and vehicles at Chairman jetty, it was anchored in the river. As a result, a long queue of cargo vehicles bound for Hatia has formed at the terminal.”

Passengers who have travelled from distant areas are also stranded, he said. Passengers, drivers and vehicle helpers are facing immense hardship as there are no good residential hotels or proper toilets at the terminal.

Meanwhile, it has been raining in Noakhali since morning due to the influence of a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal.

Rafiqul Islam, acting officer of the district weather office, said 40 millimetres of rain was recorded in Maijdee city in the 24 hours until 8am.

He said maritime ports have been advised to keep local cautionary signal No. 3 hoisted.