Bad weather halts boat services on 10 routes in Bhola

Boat services on 10 routes in Bhola district has been suspended due to deteriorating weather conditions, causing significant disruption for thousands of residents across several upazilas.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) announced the suspension, citing safety concerns amid continuous rain and rough conditions. One of the affected routes, Elisha to Majuchoudhurir Hat, has already been closed for four consecutive days, compounding the difficulties faced by locals who rely heavily on water transport.

Bhola River Port Officer Riyad Hossain said that although signal number one is currently being shown at the river port, the Meteorological Office has issued signal number three at sea. "Some boat routes in Bhola have become extremely risky under the current conditions, prompting the suspension," he said.

The 10 suspended routes include Elisha–Moju Chowdhury Hat, Daulatkhan–Alexander–Mirzakalu, Betua–Dhaka, Hatia–Monpura, Char Fashion–Monpura, and Tazumuddin–Dhaka, among others. Authorities have stated that no boat movement will be allowed on these routes until the weather improves.

However, vessel operations on the Bhola–Dhaka route are continuing as usual, according to the river port authorities.

Meanwhile, Masud Rana Rubel, a senior observer at the Barishal Meteorological Office, said the ongoing downpour is the result of an active monsoon system. "Continuous rainfall is expected to persist for the next two to three days before it begins to subside slightly," he noted. Signal number three has been hoisted at sea ports, while river ports have been advised to maintain signal number one.

Amid growing frustration among local residents, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have assured that boat services will resume as soon as weather conditions are considered safe.