Restriction on river transports due to low over north Bay
Barisal port authorities has restricted plying of ML (motor launch) type launches and other small water transports up to 65 feet in length on 29 routes in the southern region until further order.
The step was taken after the weather department asked river port authorities to hoist cautionary signal No 2 yesterday morning following the low created over the North Bay and adjoining areas, said Abul Bashar Mazumdar, deputy director, pilot and conservancy department of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).
Triple deck launches plying Barisal-Dhaka route have also been asked to ply cautiously, said Lokman Hossain, river traffic inspector, and Sharif Afzal Hossain, Barisal port officer.
Cloudy weather and light to mid rainfall with 10-15 km per hour wind has been reported from different areas of Barisal district and Barisal met office recorded 97 mm rainfall in the city and adjacent areas in 72 hours till 3:00pm yesterday.
Coastal areas hoisted weather signal No 3 and recorded 229 ml rainfall at Kalapara in last 72-hour till 3:00pm yesterday, said Prodip Kumar, officer of Kalapara weather radar station.
The low lying areas of the coastal and offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by six to eight feet surges and squally weather may affect the maritime ports and coastal areas due to the low, he said.
All fishing boats and trawlers in North Bay and deep sea have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice, said port and weather officials.
Kirtonkhola River in Barisal port point is flowing only 0.45 centimetres below the danger level, said Shamsul Islam, a gauge reading staff of hydrology department of Water Development Board (WDB).
Already low lands, chars and areas beside rivers, canals and other water bodies in different parts of the region including Barisal city areas have been flooded, said sources of WDB and local administration.
"Upazila nirbahi officers and disaster and relief management department officials informed that rivers of the region have yet to cross the danger level but low lying areas on the banks of rivers and water bodies have been inundated by flash flood. We are monitoring the situation," said Barisal Deputy Commissioner SM Arif Ur Rahman.
During this season, road communication with Kuakata tourist zone is often disrupted due to frequent inundation of ferry gangways and bad conditions of the connecting roads, locals said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments