Launch services on eight river routes in the coastal region remained suspended on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall and strong monsoon winds, leading to swelling river water in the area.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) instructed launch owners not to operate vessels on these routes, as the coastal belt remained turbulent due to the influence of the monsoon wind.
The river routes are: Bhola-Lakshmipur-Char Fashion-Monpura, Tajumuddin-Monpura, and Dowlatkhan-Alekjander, according to M Riad Hossain, assistant director of the BIWTA, Bhola.
The lives of people in the coastal district of Bhola have been devastated due to incessant rains over the last four days.
According to met office sources, the highest rainfall in the district was recorded at 132.6mm in the 24 hours till noon.
Normal life in the district has been disrupted due to the heavy rainfall.
Waterlogging has occurred on various roads, including the main road of the district town.
Life in the upazila towns has also been hampered due to continuous rainfall.
Lower-income people, including rickshaw pullers, labourers, and small business owners, are suffering immensely.
Rainfall will continue till July 12, said Manirul Islam, an observer at the Bhola meteorological office.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has asked authorities to hoist local cautionary signal No 3 at Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Pyra sea ports due to the inclement weather.
Therefore, the BIWTA has announced the halting of the launch movement temporarily on internal and long eight routes of the district.
The heavy rainfall, along with the rise of water flow in different rivers, has also caused immense suffering for people living in the the low-lying areas in the district.
