The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority has suspended the movement of all launches and other river transport vessels as the effects of Cyclone Remal become apparent in the coastal regions.
“All launch and river transport has been suspended from 6 am today, said Md Joynal Abedin, director of the BIWTA River Security and Traffic Management Division, on Sunday.
Due to the cyclone, the river ports in the Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Feni, Comilla, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar districts have been advised to raise Greater Danger Signal No. 4.
“A control room has been arranged by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority to handle the deep depression and possible Cyclone Remal. Control rooms have also been set up at the regional offices.”
BIWTA officials and employees will be in constant contact with the Met Office, the control rooms established at all BIWTA river ports, the focal point officer of the ports, the control officers of the different river port departments and the control officers of the dredger bays.
The control room can be reached at +8802223352306 and the mobile number is 01958658213.
The BIWTA also ordered all vessels plying inland waterways to follow the weather alerts and instructions issued by the authority in case of possible cyclone conditions in the Bay of Bengal and adjacent areas.