Due to cyclone Mokha, the launch movement in Daulatdia of Rajbari and Paturia of Manikganj has been stopped. On Friday (12th May) from midnight, the ghat authorities stopped the movement of launches on this route. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority BIWTA Daulatdia Ghat end Traffic Inspector Md. confirmed the suspension of launch movement. Aftab Hossain. He also said that due to the cyclone mouth, the river can become turbulent at any moment, because of which the launch movement can become dangerous. To avoid accidents, launch movement on this route was completely stopped from 11 pm yesterday. Daulatdia Paturia sea route will be stopped till further orders. Launching will start again under the direction of the authorities when the environment is normal. 16 small and big launches are plying on this route.
BIWTC Daulatdia Ghat Branch Assistant Manager (Commercial) Md. Khorshed Alam said that although the launch operation has stopped, the ferry operation on the Daulatdia Paturia route is normal. We have government orders to stop ferries in case of bad weather. It takes over half an hour to load a ferry as the wharf is empty. A total of 12 small and big ferries are plying on this route. JM Sirajul Kabir, inspector of Daulatdia naval outpost, said, “We are careful to deal with cyclone Mokha”. Fishermen have been instructed to keep fishing trawlers and boats in safe places in the river. Shelters have been prepared in Goalanda Upazila to deal with the cyclone and fishermen have been instructed to keep their fishing trawlers and boats under safe shelter.
