A long tailback was seen on Bhola and Laxmipur ends of the Meghna River as authorities suspended both the launch and ferry services using the ghats. 

Besides, at least 12 villages of the district went under water as a flood control embankment collapsed due to heavy current in the river. 

Locals said the river turned turbulent in the morning amid the gusty wind and rain. At one stage, the Elisha launch and ferry ghats were flooded with abnormal tides in the river.

The pontoons along with the connecting road were inundated and got seriously damaged.

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Md Kamruzzaman, assistant director of Bhola River Port, said launch operation on the Bhola-Barishal route while both launch and ferry services on Bhola-Laxmipur route were suspended until further notice due to the bad weather.  

Meanwhile, a team of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has moved to Elisha to repair the damaged pontoons, he said, adding that the team will start their work once the weather becomes favourable.

On the other hand, the flood control embankment at Saji Kandi village of Elisha could not be repaired even after seven days of collapse. 

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Residents of the 12 adjoining villages have been suffering as their neighbourhoods are regularly being submerged twice a day.

Hasan Mahmud, executive engineer of Bhola Water Development Board-2, said the repair work on the flood control embankment was disrupted as sand-laden vessels failed to anchor due to heavy current in the river.

Engineer Mahmud said the embankment will be repaired once the situation becomes normal. 

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