MANIKGANJ, May 25, 2026 — Just as millions of homeward-bound travellers begin converging on Bangladesh’s busiest river crossing for the Eid-ul-Azha holiday, a fresh nor’wester struck the Padma River on the eve of Eid — raising serious concerns about further disruptions to ferry and launch services on the critical Paturia-Daulatdia route over the coming days.
Last Night’s Suspension: What Happened
Ferry services between Paturia and Daulatdia were suspended from 8:30 pm on Sunday, May 24, due to a nor’wester accompanied by heavy rain lashing the Padma River route area, according to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Paturia Ghat sources.
The suspension came at a particularly sensitive moment. The seven-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday officially begins today, May 25, and the Paturia-Daulatdia route — a lifeline connecting Dhaka to 21 southwestern districts — was already under heightened pressure from Eid-bound passenger traffic.
A Pattern of Disruptions This Season
This latest stoppage is far from an isolated incident. The route has seen repeated weather-driven suspensions throughout May. On May 6, ferry services on the Paturia-Daulatdia route were suspended for 1 hour and 15 minutes after a nor’wester accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds swept across the Padma River, posing risks to passenger and vehicle safety. BIWTC Paturia Ghat DGM Abdus Salam noted that ferries were stranded on both sides of the route.
Just days later, the disruption was worse. On May 7, all ferry services between Paturia and Daulatdia were suspended due to a nor’wester, with ferry movement on the Aricha-Kazirhat route also halted simultaneously.
Earlier in the season, on April 26, ferry operations between Paturia and Daulatdia were suspended from 4:40 pm due to Kalbaishakhi and strong winds, with three ferries stranded at Paturia Ghat and seven held at Daulatdia Ghat.
The Government’s Eid Preparedness Measures
Despite the weather risk, the government had moved in advance to manage the Eid rush on the waterways. State Minister for Shipping, Md. Razib Ahsan visited the Paturia-Daulatdia ferry ghat on May 21 to inspect preparedness for Eid journeys, observing passenger services, security arrangements, and vehicle crossing operations. He directed officials to strengthen safety railings on pontoons and construct stop gates at the ghat, with separate access roads built for passenger boarding and disembarkation.
Key traffic management orders are now in force. From May 25 to May 31, the ferry crossing of general trucks and covered vans — except those carrying essential and perishable goods — will remain suspended. Trucks carrying sacrificial animals will receive priority for ferry crossing.
From May 23 to June 2 — covering five days before and five days after Eid-ul-Azha — the movement of sand-carrying bulkheads will remain completely suspended day and night. Speedboat operations will also remain suspended at night.
To ease pressure on Sadarghat, launch services will be operated from Bosila Ghat in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, and from Shimulia Ghat adjacent to the Purbachal Kanchon Bridge. BRTC shuttle bus services will be launched from Kuril Bishwa Road to Shimulia Ghat.
Launch Services: The More Vulnerable Link
While ferries are generally able to resume operations faster after a weather event, launch services have historically faced longer suspensions. Passenger launch services on the Daulatdia-Paturia and Aricha-Kazirhat routes have previously remained suspended for two consecutive days due to adverse weather, with authorities halting all launch movements to avoid accidents caused by turbulent Padma and Jamuna river conditions.
When ferry and launch services on the Paturia-Daulatdia route are halted simultaneously due to rough weather, all operations are suspended from a set hour, as confirmed by BIWTC’s Aricha office. During such periods, passengers travelling to and from 21 southwestern districts face severe stranding with no river crossing alternative.
In past major disruptions, smaller and less powerful ferries have been withdrawn from service entirely, and launches have been moored away from main pontoons near residential areas as they are unable to withstand the force of the current, with journeys that normally take 30–35 minutes stretching to an hour or more.
Discover More Stories Worth Your Time
See Why Lawyers Refused Defence?
Explore how public outrage shaped the legal response in the Ramisa murder case.
Learn What Tk 5000 Buys?
Discover the difference between budget and luxury Eid shopping at New Market
Explore How Metro Travel Changes?
Discover essential MRT Line-6 tips for smoother Eid-ul-Azha travel across Dhaka this year.
Check How Riyadh Air Helps?
Explore ticket prices, baggage rules, and booking details for new Dhaka-Riyadh flights.
Find Which Trains Get Coaches?
Discover extra Eid train services and how to secure tickets before the rush.
The Risk Outlook for Eid Days
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast continued nor’wester and thundershower activity across the Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions — the two regions flanking the Padma River corridor — through the end of May. With Kalbaishakhi storms remaining active well into late May each year, and with the Padma’s current acceleration during this pre-monsoon period, the risk of further weather-triggered suspensions remains high throughout the Eid holiday window.
BIWTC officials have not yet issued a formal suspension forecast for the coming days, but have urged passengers to monitor official updates and plan crossings during daytime hours when visibility and weather conditions are more stable.
Traveller Advisory
Authorities and transport officials urge Eid travellers using the Paturia-Daulatdia route to:
- Travel early in the day — most nor’wester and Kalbaishakhi events strike in late afternoon or evening
- Avoid night travel — speedboat services are suspended at night during the Eid period
- Check BIWTC updates before proceeding to the ghat, particularly if heavy rain or gusty winds are forecast
- Use alternative routes such as Shimulia Ghat (for Faridpur/Barisal-bound travellers) if Paturia is congested or suspended
- Allow extra time — even without full suspension, Eid-period waiting times at the ghat can stretch to several hours
