Passenger launch and sea-truck services on the Bhola-Lakshmipur route remained suspended for the third consecutive day on Friday due to dangerous weather conditions caused by a monsoon depression, leaving thousands of commuters in suffering.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) halted all vessel operations after local cautionary signal No-3 was hoisted, citing safety risks from strong winds and turbulent waters.
From early Friday morning, large crowds, including women, children, and elderly passengers, were seen waiting at Bhola’s Ilisha launch terminal.
With no launches or sea-trucks in operation, many passengers, desperate to travel, have been crossing the turbulent waters on small, risky trawlers and speedboats, defying the suspension and risking their lives.
Local residents said illegal trawlers without roofs or proper safety measures have been ferrying passengers at high fares.
Passengers expressed frustration saying that they were already neglected as Bhola residents. Many of them work in factories in Chattogram and must report back to duty on time.
Meanwhile, Bhola’s Meteorological Office recorded 67.41mm of rainfall in the past 48 hours and wind speeds of 3 nautical miles per hour, prompting ports to hoist cautionary signals.
Md Jasim Uddin, BIWTA traffic official in the district, said legal action will be taken if anyone violates the suspension.
“Authorities have asked law enforcement to crack down on unauthorised trawler operations,” he said.