Road and waterway communications all across the country, including the major river routes of Paturia-Dowlatdia and Mawa-Keurakandihave been disrupted over the last few days because of dense fog.
On Sunday, ferry operations on the Mawa-Keurakandi route remained suspended for over eight hours, creating a few kilometre-long tailbacks on both the sides of the river.
Sirajul Islam, manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTA) at Mawa, said:“Water transport remained suspended to avoid accidents. However, the ferry service resumed at 7:45 yesterday morning, after 8 hours.”
BIWTC sources said the ferry service was totally halted on Sunday at 11:45pm as Ro Ro Ferry Shah Mukhdum, Ferry Raniganj and Ferry Kanakchanpa were anchored.
Sirajul Haque, manager of BIWTC at Mawa said these three ferries were anchored out in the river to avoid accidents, as signal lights could hardly be seen in the dense fog.
The suspension of the ferry service caused traffic jam on both sides of the river Ghat, causing immense suffering for the passengers.
Meanwhile, a mild cold spell has hit the northern parts of the country, giving way to cold-related diseases and causing suffering for the poor.
The Met office yesterday recorded the lowest temperature as9.2 degrees Celsius-in Ishwardi. 8.5 degrees Celsius, the lowest temperature this season so far, was also recorded in the same district on December 28.