Play store
The rising water level of the Padma River has submerged the approach road to the Paturia Launch Ghat in Manikganj, causing severe inconvenience to passengers and raising concerns over possible suspension of launch services if the river continues to swell.
The inundation has made it difficult for commuters to board and disembark from launches, forcing many to wade through water to reach the terminal. Authorities fear that a further rise in the river level could submerge the pontoon, disrupting one of the region’s key river transport links.
Panna Lal, supervisor of the Paturia Launch Ghat, said the Padma’s water level has been rising steadily over the past three days due to continuous upstream flow.
“The situation worsened early Wednesday when the river overflowed and submerged the connecting road to the launch terminal,” he said.
He added that the flooding has created significant difficulties for passengers travelling through the ghat, particularly the elderly, women and children.
Following the inundation, officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) were informed immediately. As an emergency measure, authorities have placed sandbags along parts of the submerged road to facilitate the movement of passengers and maintain access to the terminal.
Despite the temporary arrangements, officials warned that the situation remains uncertain.
“If the river continues to rise, the pontoon may go under water, making it impossible to operate launch services safely. In that case, launch operations may have to be suspended at any time,” Panna Lal said.
Local authorities are closely monitoring the river’s water level and preparing for further protective measures should the flood situation worsen. Passengers have been advised to remain cautious and stay updated on any changes to launch schedules as the Padma continues to swell.
