River shipping suspended throughout Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has suspended the movement of all barges and other river transport vessels as the impact of Cyclone Remal is clearly felt in the coastal regions.

“As of 6am today, all barge and river transport operations have been suspended,” said Md Joynal Abedin, director of BIWTA’s River Safety and Traffic Management Department, on Sunday.

Due to the cyclone, river ports in Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar districts have been advised to raise Major Danger Signal No.4.

“The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has set up a control room to deal with the deep depression and possible cyclone Remal. Control rooms have also been set up in the regional offices.”

BIWTA officials and staff are in regular contact with the Met Office, the control rooms at all BIWTA river ports, the Ports Liaison Officer, the control officers of the various river port departments and the control officers of the dredging bays.

The control room can be reached at +8802223352306 and mobile number 01958658213.

BIWTA also requested all vessels operating on inland waterways to comply with the Authority’s weather warnings and instructions in case of possible cyclonic conditions in the Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas.