Staff Correspondent, Munshiganj
The pontoon of Shimulia Ghat No 2 was broken in half and washed away by the waves of the Padma. On Wednesday, the pontoon was torn in two part by a huge wave and completely separated. Authorities are trying to tie the big anchors with multiple ropes to prevent further damage. Efforts are being made to keep things under control in the other three ghats.
Twelve of the ferries have been safely removed and taken to Banglabazar Ghat. However, the authorities are struggling with the six ferries anchored at Shimulia. The rope of the anchored ferry is tearing due to the strong waves. Meanwhile, the water level in the Padma has risen by two and a half feet reaching to at least three feet.
Ferry services have been suspended since Wednesday morning in order to avoid accidents. Movement of other vessels have been stopped since the afternoon of the very day. Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people remained stranded at the wharf due to the unstable situation.
Assistant Director of the Department of Maritime Safety and Traffic Management and Assistant Port and Transport Officer Shahadat Hossain said that strong waves and wind have occupied the river since the morning. Therefore, movement of 81 launches operating on this route has been stopped.
Prafulla Chauhan, manager of BIDBUTC's Shimulia Ghat, informed that there are strong waves and wind in the turbulent Padma river. Ferry services cannot cuntinue in this weather. Therefore, it has been put to a halt. The ferry service will not resume until the weather is favorable.
Mawa traffic police inspector Hafizul Islam said that more than 500 vehicles are waiting at Shimulia ghat. Among the stranded vehicles, there are mostly buses, trucks and private cars.
