Ferry services at Ilisha ghat in Bhola have been severely disrupted after rising water levels in the Meghna River submerged the access ramp, forcing passengers to use small boats to board ferries.

According to Kawsar Hossain, manager of Bhola ferry services, the terminal’s low-water landing station has been going underwater during high tides for the past week, with each tidal period lasting 3 to 4 hours in the morning and afternoon, making passenger movement difficult.

Currently, only one high-water ramp is functional, but it significantly slows down the loading and unloading of vehicles.

Hasanuzzaman, Superintending Engineer of the Bhola Water Development Board, confirmed that the Meghna River is flowing 62 centimeters above the danger level in the area, based on their latest readings.

Meanwhile, with the lowering of maritime warning signal No. 3, launch and sea-truck services resumed on 10 river routes from 10:30 am Wednesday, according to Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Transport Inspector of BIWTA, Bhola.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as continued high water levels may further disrupt river transport in the region.