Cyclone Asani: Water transport services suspended in Shimulia-Banglabazar route

Ferry, launch, and speedboat services were suspended on the waterway between Shimulia in Munshiganj and Banglabazar in Madaripur due to heavy wind, rain, and lightning on the Padma river over the adverse effect of Cyclone Asani.

As the warning signal number 1 prevails, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) have decided to suspend the services to avoid accidents and for the safety of the passengers, reports our Munshiganj correspondent quoting Shahadat Hossain, assistant director of Simulia river port maritime security and traffic management department.

However, the ferry service between Shimulia Ghat and Majhikandi of Shariatpur is remained operational.

According to the sources, the movements of 85 launches and 155 speedboats have remained halted since 6am this morning. In addition to that, ferry service is also closed. The movement of vessels did not start till the filing of this report at 7:40 pm.

Transport Officer (Additional Duty) Shahadat Hossain, said the service will resume once the weather becomes favourable.

Md Salauddin, BIWTC's manager of Majhikandi Ghat at Jajira of Shariatpur and Banglabazar Ghat at Madaripur, informed that though the ferry service is closed on the Shimulia-Banglabazar waterway but six to seven ferries are operational on the Shimulia-Majhikandi waterway.

BIWTC's Shimulia Ghat Manager Faisal Ahmed said that some vehicles are waiting at Simulia Ghat to cross the river but the ferry service will not resume until the weather becomes normal.