Barishal district has been paralysed since Thursday morning as torrential rains from a Bay of Bengal depression submerged low-lying areas and forced the suspension of all launch services, severing critical river connections to Bhola and neighbouring regions.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) halted operations after meteorologists recorded 27mm of rainfall within hours, with forecasts predicting continued downpours throughout the day, reports UNB.
Masud Rana Rubel, a meteorologist at the Barishal Meteorological Office, confirmed the data.
Meanwhile, river ports have raised warning signal No 2 as the depression continues to intensify.
The disruption has caused urban flooding in many districts and has confined residents to their homes, with waterlogged roads blocking access to essential services.
The Met Office confirmed the depression’s lingering impact, warning mariners to avoid venturing into deep-sea routes. The inclement weather compounds existing challenges for the river-dependent southern region.