Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has kept launch services suspended on 20 internal river routes for the last three days due to rough weather. Photo : BSS

BHOLA, Aug 19, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has kept launch services suspended on 20 internal river routes for the last three days due to rough weather and monsoon winds triggered by a low-pressure system in the coastal regions. 

Passengers of the affected routes are facing acute suffering as services have remained halted since August 17. 

Although the low pressure in the north Bay is gradually weakening, cautionary signal no. 3 is still being hoisted in the district, said Md Moniruzzaman, observer of the Bhola Meteorological Department. 

All sea trawlers and boats have been asked to stay close to the shore until further notice. 

According to BIWTA, passenger launch services and sea truck movement on 20 internal routes of the district, including Ilisha-Mehendiganj, Bhola-Baufal, Lalmohon-Nazirpur, Dowlatkhan-Alexender, Tajumuddin-Manpura, Manpura-Hatia, Charfashion-Manpura, Charfashion-Dhaka, Manpura-Dhaka, Gosherhat of Charfashion-Dhaka, Hakimuddin under Borhanuddin-Dhaka, Beduriaghat-Laharhat of Barishal, Katchapia of Charfashion-Dulchar, Katchia of Charfashion to Kukri-Mukri, Katchia of Charfashion-Char patila, Abubakarpur of Charfashion-Dashmina, Tulatoli of Bhola sadar-Majherchar, illisha of Bhola sadar-Ramdashpur and Nasirmaji of Bhola sadar-Char Madanpur union of Dawlatkhan, remain suspended.

However, ferries are still operating on the Bhola-Barishal and Bhola-Lakshmipur routes, said BIWTA traffic in-charge Md Parvez.