Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has suspended operation of all types of vessels on all river routes across the country as a precautionary measure against the severe cyclonic storm "Yaas".

The restriction will remain in force until further notice, Joynal Abedin, joint director of BIWTA, told The Daily Star.

Earlier, Rafiqul Islam, director of BIWTA, told The Daily Star that they have suspended operations of water vessels on most river routes, except four--Dhaka-Chandpur, Dhaka-Barishal, Dhaka-Bhola and Dhaka-Hularhat (Pirojpur).

However, BIWTA later suspended operations of vessels on all river routes across the country from 4:30pm today.