Signal No. 3 raised at seaports, vessel operations halted on key routes

The Met Office has suspended vessel operations on several key routes, including Dhaka-Hatia, due to severe weather

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, or BIWTA, has suspended vessel operations on several key coastal routes, including Hatia, amid inclement weather across the country.

"The ongoing adverse weather in the coastal regions and the issuance of Signal No. 2 on internal waterways, and Signal No. 3 at seaports, has prompted this decision," BIWTA’s spokesperson Abu Saleh Mohammad Ehteshamul Parvez said in a statement issued on Saturday.

"For the safety of passengers and in light of the severe rolling in the rivers, vessel operations from Dhaka to Hatia and Betua, Betua and Hatia to Dhaka, and Dhaka to Khepupara have been suspended until further notice," the statement added.

Operations of launches and sea trucks on other routes, including Narayanganj to Munshiganj and Matlab, Barishal to Ulania, Barishal to Kaliganj, and Bhola to Ilisha and Maju Chowdhury Hat, have also been put on hold.

Routes like Alexander to Haimchar, and Monpura to Tazumuddin have also halted operations as well, according to the statement.

Services of speedboats along the Boalia to Koralia route, as well as passenger vessels from Patuakhali to Golachipa, Char Montaz, and surrounding areas, have also been paused due to dangerous river conditions.

The BIWTA has ordered the suspension of operations on key routes in Chattogram, including Kumira-Guptachara, Banshkhali-Kutubdia, Pekua-Kutubdia, Cox's Bazar-Moheshkhali, Teknaf-Saint Martin’s Island, and Noakhali-Hatia.

The statement added all vessel operations on the Aricha-Paturia-Kazir Hat route have been halted, while the movement of unfit vessels on routes such as Ashuganj-Bhairab Bazar has been restricted until further notice due to rough river conditions.

"With significant waves in the river, for the safety of passengers and vessels, we have decided to halt operations on three key coastal routes: Dhaka to Hatia and Betua, Betua and Hatia to Dhaka, and Dhaka to Khepupara," the statement said.