The severity of winter has tightened its grip across Bangladesh, with the mercury dropping each day.
The persistent fog, blanketing major rivers like the Brahmaputra and Meghna, has significantly impacted launch and small boat operations, leading to delays, accidents, and a decline in passenger traffic.
Over the past month, the number of launches departing from Dhaka has dwindled due to the adverse effects of winter and the persistent dense fog.
The launch masters said that dense fog obstructs the view for bulkhead and small boat operators, leading to various accidents. Additionally, inadequate night time driving skills among bulkhead drivers and lack of technological advancements further exacerbate the challenges.
To mitigate accidents and save time, passengers are increasingly opting for alternative modes of transportation, steering clear of the waterways.
Even when launches adhere to their scheduled departure times, delays of one to one and a half hours are commonplace due to the lingering fog.
Launch masters attribute these delays to the reduced visibility, making navigation and progress through the waterways slow and perilous.
Accidents common occurrence
According to Sadarghat River Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abul Kalam, at least ten major and minor accidents have occurred on waterways in the past month and a half, causing considerable damage.
Most of these accidents transpired on routes from Dhaka to Barisal and Dhaka to Chandpur.
He said these incidents have resulted in injuries to at least fifty individuals, with two fatalities recorded thus far.
During the night of December 11, a collision occurred between MV Survi-8 launch and Tipu-14 launch in the Meghna River near Haimchar upazila of Chandpur. One died while at least ten others sustained injuries in the incident.
Simultaneously, in the Mohanpur area of Matlab upazila of Chadpur, there was another collision involving MV Rafar-7 on the Dhaka-Barisal route and MV AR Khan-1, bound for Dhaka from Patuakhali. This collision resulted in serious injuries to at least 15 passengers.
Furthermore, at least five more major accidents occurred till January 17.
Apprehensive Masters
The persistent thick fog has instilled a sense of fear among the launch staff, as navigating through waterways becomes increasingly treacherous.
Mintu, the master of Abhijan-5 launch, expressed the prevailing anxiety, attributing it to the inherent challenge of small boats being significant obstacles in navigation.
During night time, bulkheads, small cargo ships, trawlers, and fishing boats become virtually invisible in the dense fog, leading to regular minor accidents.
The launch staff live in constant fear, not only for their own safety but also for the well-being of their family members. The unpredictable nature of when a major accident might occur adds to the overall sense of apprehension and concern.
Anwar Hossain, the master of the Muladi-bound Abhijan-3 launch, said: "Navigating the launch has become exceedingly challenging due to the persistent fog, and accidents have become a regular occurrence. Just a few days ago, Sundarban-12 and 16 fell victim to an accident.”
Pointing out the reasons behind the accidents, he said: “Many launches lack modern technology. Some launches have stopped operation following instructions from BIWTA, while others choose to disregard these directives. The visibility of launch lights is limited to a mere 20-25 meters in thick fog, making it nearly impossible to discern what lies ahead.
“This prevailing situation is causing fear not only in us, the launch staff, but also in the passengers. Accidents are becoming a common occurrence due to the fog, leading to a significant reduction in launch passengers over the past two weeks," Anwar Hossain said.
Abu Zafar, a launch staff, said the persistent fog is causing delays in launch travel, dissuading passengers from choosing this mode of transportation.
“Passengers are increasingly alarmed by reports of accidents in launches due to constant coverage in newspapers or on television. This heightened awareness has resulted in a noticeable decline in the number of passengers opting for waterway travel,” he added.
Situation in Sadarghat
Meanwhile, numerous hawkers in the Sadarghat area find themselves grappling with uncertainty due to a noticeable decline in launch passengers.
In typical circumstances, when launch operations are routine, the flow of passengers is consistent.
However, the winter season and dense fog have significantly diminished the number of passengers, resulting in a substantial reduction in sales.
Halima Begum, a water seller at Sadarghat, said: "There are very few passengers at Sadarghat. Only two or three dozen bottles of water are sold throughout the day, and the profitability is uncertain. It is challenging to sustain a family with such meagre earnings."
What the passengers say
Mohammad Abir Hossain, a passenger on the Barisal route launch, said: "I used to consider waterways the safest and most comfortable option. However, my perspective shifted a bit due to the winter season. Incidents on waterways have increased, especially during winter, and the primary culprit is the dense fog.”
Moreover, he said the road journey to Barisal via Padma Bridge is quick, making waterways seem unnecessary and risky."
Faridunnahar, a passenger on the Chandpur route, said: "When I arrived in Dhaka with my mother-in-law, our small launch had a collision that left us all quite scared. The fog obscured our surroundings, leading to the mishap. Today, as I head back to Chandpur by launch, I've decided to send my mother-in-law and my little son via bus. My daughter and I are opting for the launch.”
