All launch operations from Dhaka’s main river port, Sadarghat, have been suspended from Thursday afternoon due to inclement weather, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and confused.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) officially halted the movement of all small and large launches from 3pm, citing safety concerns amid deteriorating weather conditions.
Many passengers arrived at the terminal despite the rain, unaware of the suspension. Some were seen returning home disappointed, while others rushed to Sayedabad Bus Terminal in search of alternative transport. A number of passengers opted to wait at the terminal, hoping that the weather would improve and services would resume later in the night.
“We’re headed to Amtali in Patuakhali. Came to Dhaka for medical treatment two days ago. Had no idea the launches were suspended,” said businessman Shahid, who arrived at the terminal with his son Badru. “We’ll wait till night. If the launches don’t operate, we’ll have to find a boarding house.”
Saiful Islam, a madrasa teacher traveling to Bhola from Mirpur, also expressed frustration. “I wasn’t aware of the suspension. Came all the way through the rain only to find no launches are running. Now I’m thinking of going back to Mirpur.”
Terminal sources said that while several launches arrived from various routes in the morning, none except those on the Chandpur route departed. By afternoon, operations on all routes had been called off.
The Prince Awlad-10, which was scheduled to leave for Barisal at 9pm, was among the suspended services. “We were informed around 4pm that the launch won’t depart. Passengers are coming in and returning. Those who had booked cabins are collecting refunds, while some are rebooking for tomorrow or the day after,” said Masud, a staff member of the launch.
BIWTA Joint Director at Sadarghat, Muhammad Mobarak Hossain, confirmed the suspension. “Due to rough weather, all launch services from Sadarghat were suspended from 3pm. Operations had already been limited since morning. A few launches managed to arrive, and only two had departed earlier in the day,” he told Bangla Tribune.
