Due to rising water level and strong upstream current, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has instructed a highest-alert warning for the Daulatdia–Paturia waterway.

Under the instruction, all types of vessels, ferries and launches operating on the route to operate with the utmost caution.

The instruction asked the vessels capable of travelling at speeds of less than 7.20 nautical miles per hour have been instructed to avoid this waterway and use alternative routes.

Sources said the strong current has made ferry operations increasingly difficult, particularly when approaching the terminals at either end of the route. Several ferries have already been unable to dock properly, raising safety concerns and prompting the precautionary directive.

Such incident is taking place randomly in the terminal every day, said Mohammad Ashraf Uddin, joint director (Nau-Sawap) of BIWTA’s Aricha office, who earlier issued these precautionary instructions.

According to the BIWTA notice, the strength of the upstream current in the Padma River at the Daulatdia end of the Daulatdia–Paturia waterway has increased. The current in the area is currently flowing at approximately 7.20 nautical miles per hour.

In addition, BIWTA has requested the owners, boatmen, drivers and operators of all vessels operating on the waterway to exercise the highest level of caution while operating their vessels.

Considering the safety of passengers, copies of the emergency navigation notice have also been sent to the river police, district administration, upazila nirbahi officer, the Inland Water Transport Workers Federation and other relevant offices.

Mohammad Ashraf Uddin said the excess water resulting from floods in Nepal is entering Bangladesh through India. As a result, along with the rising water level in the river, the intensity of the current has also increased.

Measurements showed that the current at the Daulatdia end was flowing at 7.20 nautical miles per hour or more.

He said the strong current could make navigation on this waterway risky for slower vessels. Therefore, vessels, ferries and launches capable of travelling at less than 7.20 nautical miles per hour have been advised to avoid this waterway and use alternative routes.