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The authorities have suspended ferry services and all other water transport to and from Hatiya in Noakhali due to rough weather and turbulent conditions in the Meghna River, effectively cutting off the island upazila from the rest of the country by water.
The suspension came into effect on Sunday morning following the deterioration in weather conditions.
With water transport halted, passengers were seen waiting at Nalchira and Chairman Ghat from the morning. However, no sea trucks, speedboats, ferries or passenger trawlers were allowed to operate as the river remained rough.
Tofazzal Hossain, master of the ferry Mahananda, said Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 had been hoisted due to the adverse weather.
“Ferry services have been suspended on the instructions of the authorities and will remain closed until weather conditions improve,” he said.
Mohammad Rezaul Karim, assistant port and transport officer at the Hatiya coastal river port, said the river had been rough since early Sunday, with higher-than-normal tidal levels.
“Due to the adverse weather, all government-operated vessels on the Hatiya–Chairman Ghat–Nalchira route have been suspended. The restriction will remain in force until further notice,” he said.
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