Dense fog enveloped several parts of the country, leading to disruption in flight operations at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the capital.
Arrivals and departures have largely been put on hold for at least six hours at the HSIA. Around four flights were diverted during this time to Kolkata and Chattogram airport. “Flight operations have largely been put on hold. Around eight aircrafts scheduled to departed the airport were put on hold since midnight to morning, due to poor visibility and ATC (air traffic control) clearance for taking off,” an airport official said.
According to the airport official, departures were completely put on hold from 1.30am to 7am morning. Two flights of Biman and two of US-Bangla Airlines were shifted to Chattogram and Kolkata, while flight that were scheduled to depart for Kuwait, Saudi and Thai were not allowed before 7am due to dense fog.
As the cold wave is sweeping, moderate to thick fog remain at places across the country. Clouds, mists and thin layer of fogs apparently gave a gloomy look from dawn to dusk.
HSIA director Touhid-ul-Ahsan said, due to dense fog normal flight operation resumed after 8.00am.
Meanwhile, ferry service between Paturia-Daulatdia routes in Padma River has resumed after about a 10-hour suspension for dense fog, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) at Paturia Ghat confirmed this.
The ferry movement was suspended from 11pm on Tuesday to 9am on Wednesday due to poor visibility as dense fog blanketed the region while all 14 ferries including 7 Ro-Ros waited to be loaded and unloaded at Paturia Ghat and Daulatdia Ghat, said Zillur Rahman, Deputy General Manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority said.
The suspension caused thousands of vehicles including passenger buses, private cars and goods loaded trucks stranded on both banks of the river Padma, causing immense sufferings for the travelers.
Dense fog also triggered banning movements of all kinds of engine driven boats and launches, increasing the ordeal of home goers, holidaymakers and other travelers including women and children.