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Ferry links at mercy of tides

SOHRAB HOSSAIN, Patuakhali
Increasing high tides of rivers in Patuakhali wreak havoc on the entire region inundating every year the ferry network facilities and cutting off the district's communications with the rest of the country.
All the eight ferry services on different routes in the region by the Bay of Bengal remain inoperative during both high and low tides.
During high tide, the gangways of all ferries go under tidal water, especially in rainy season. During low tide, the water recedes so much that the ferries cannot moor at the pontoons.
Water Development Board (WDB) engineers say the tidal surges are becoming increasingly fierce and the water level is reaching record high every year.
“During the last depression, the tidal surge flowed more than a metre above the danger level," said Siddiqur Rahman, executive engineer ofWDB in the district.
Buses and other vehicles with hundreds of passengers, including tourists from home and abroad, get stranded at the ferry terminals, said Golam Maula Dulu, secretary of Patuakhali bus-mini bus owners' association.
Among the eight terminals under Patuakhali road division, four are on Patuakhali-Kuakata route.
During the rainy season, especially from June to October, water level runs 1 to 1.5 metres above the danger
level for up to 10 days even in moderate flooding. Any depression in the Bay floods the entire region cutting off road communications for days, locals said.
“We, the transport workers and owners, are losing business. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) should have an alternative service during these regular disruptions,” Dulu told The Daily Star recently.
Nur Hossain, 40, who went from Savar to Kuakata with his family on September 1, said they had to wait for three hours at Mohipur ferry terminal as their vehicle could not cross the river for the gangways went under tidal water.
“There should have been arrangements to adjust the gangway with the tides and ensure safe passage for the people,” he said.
Shawkat Ali, executive engineer of RHD, said plans are underway to build bridges on the four rivers between Patuakhali and Kuakata.
“Construction of a bridge on the Mohipur river has already started. We received bids to build two bridges on Hazipur and Kalapara rivers," he said.