Ferry services resume after 9-hour fog-induced suspension on Padma, Jamuna rivers
During this time, four ferries—Borkot, Kopoti, and Khan Jahan Ali, and Chitra got stuck in the middle of the Padma and Jamuna respectively, he shared
Ferry services on the Aricha-Kazirhat and Paturia-Daulatdia routes resumed at 10:30am and 10:40am, respectively, after 9 hours suspension.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) reported that heavy fog blanketed the Padma-Jamuna basin from yesterday evening, reducing visibility and halting operations.
Ferry services resumed after visibility improved later in the morning, allowing safe passage for vessels.
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Ferry services on Aricha-Kazirhat and Paturia-Daulatdia river routes in Manikganj had been suspended since 1:30am today (24 January) due to dense fog.
The suspension caused four ferries stuck in the middle of the Padma and Jamuna rivers and over 500 vehicles at the terminals.
Nasir Chowdhury, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) in Aricha sector, said that the fog intensified in the both rivers' basins starting from midnight, forcing them to suspend the ferry services at 1:30am.
During this time, four ferries—Borkot, Kopoti, and Khan Jahan Ali, and Chitra got stuck in the middle of the Padma and Jamuna respectively, he shared.
Moreover, six ferries remain stuck at the Paturia terminal, four at the Daulatdia, and three at the Aricha, all carrying passengers and vehicles, according to terminal authorities.
Currently, over 500 vehicles are stuck at the four ferry terminals, with over 400 freight trucks, they said.
Nasir said the fog is a natural phenomenon and ferry services cannot resume until it clears, adding that once the fog lifts, ferry operations will return to normal.
