BIWTA suspends all inland, coastal water transport services due to depression in Bay

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has suspended all water transport services on inland and coastal routes across the country due to adverse weather conditions triggered by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.

This decision was announced in a notice issued by the Marine Safety and Traffic Management Department on Thursday.

According to the statement, the low-pressure system that developed over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression. As a result, inland and coastal waterways have become turbulent.

“In light of ensuring the safety of passengers and property, all vessels operating on both coastal and inland waterways are hereby instructed to suspend operations until further notice,” it said.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, as of 12:00pm on Thursday, the deep depression was located nearly 375km west-southwest of Chattogram Port, 385km west of Cox’s Bazar Port, 170km southwest of Mongla Port, and 210km southwest of Payra Port.

The system is likely to move further north and cross the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast near Sagar Island and Khepupara by late afternoon, leading to strong winds across the northern Bay of Bengal, coastal areas, and maritime ports, it added.

The maximum sustained wind speed within 48km at the centre of the system was about 50kph, rising to 60kph in gusts and squalls.

The Met Office advised the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra to keep local cautionary signal No. 3 hoisted as the sea has turned rough near the centre of the system.

Also, all fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to keep close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

A low-pressure system had formed over the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, which later intensified into a well-marked low, which transformed into a depression at 6am on Thursday.

The Met Office has said that due to the new moon and the deep depression, coastal districts and nearby islands may experience waves 2-4ft higher than usual.