Small launch plying stopped on 29 routes in Barisal region

Barisal port authorities restricted of plying motor launch type water transports up to 65 feet in length in 29 routes of Barisal region until further order.

The step was taken after weather department asked river-port authorities to hoist cautionary weather signal no. 2 from Sunday morning as deep convection was taking place over the coastal region.

Kazi Wakil Newaz, Barisal port officer and deputy director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, said that river port authority stopped plying motor launches less than 65 feet length due to adverse weather and rough river condition in the region since Sunday morning.

The other types of water transports including triple deck Barisal-Dhaka bound launches were also asked for plying cautiously, he added.

Cloudy weather and light to mid rainfall with normal wind speed less than 7 kilometre per hour reported from different areas of Barisal.

Barisal met office recorded 80 mm rain fall in Barisal city and adjacent areas in 12 hours till 3:00pm on Sunday.

Squally weather might affect the maritime ports and coastal areas of Bangladesh with roughness and high tidal bore than usual time. Coastal areas were hoisted weather signal no.3 and recorded 229 ml rainfall in last 24 hour till 3:00pm on Sunday at Kalapara, said Pradip Kumar, officer of Kalapara weather radar station.

The low lying areas of the coastal and offshore islands and chars were likely to be inundated by storm surge of 6 to 8 feet, under influence of low, Pradip Kumar cautioned.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea had been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice, the port and weather officials informed.

Officials of Cyclone Preparedness Programme of Barisal Red Crescent unit said that regular wireless contact with their units on different shore, off shore, coastal islands and shoals were being maintained informing that conditions of river estuaries and sea were very rough with high waves and strong tides and gusty winds since morning.

Source : New Age