Due to dense fog, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has cancelled the voyages of five luxury launches from Barishal to Dhaka, disembarking passengers as a precaution.
On Sunday night at 8pm, BIWTA instructed the authorities to halt the journeys of four direct launches and one via-route launch from Barisal port.
The cancelled launches are: Parabat-11, Parabat-12, M Khan-7, Suravi-7, and Via Sundarban-12, confirmed Zulfiqar Ali, BIWTA Traffic Inspector in Barisal.
According to the Barisal Meteorological Office, thick fog persisted throughout the day, blocking sunlight. The minimum temperature in Barisal was recorded at 13°C on Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, the minimum temperatures were 12.40°C at 9 a.m. Previously, Thursday saw 12.50°C and Wednesday 13.4°C.
The continuous cold and fog have disrupted daily life in the region.
Rahima Begum, a passenger who had boarded a launch for Dhaka, said, “After sitting on the launch for two hours in freezing weather, we were informed that the journey was canceled. Now I have to return home with my two bags, enduring the hardship.”
Zulfiqar Ali added that the launches on the Barisal-Dhaka route will remain suspended until weather conditions improve.