The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended all passenger vessel operations across the country on Sunday evening, citing dense fog as the reason. The suspension began after sunset from Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal, halting launches bound for Chandpur and the southern regions. A special navigation notice confirmed the shutdown and instructed vessels already en route to follow the Inland Water Transport Ordinance of 1976. According to BIWTA officials stationed at Sadarghat, launches to Barishal and other southern destinations usually depart after evening, but they had not received prior warnings from the Meteorological Department about the heavy fog. The sudden suspension left many passengers stranded and facing difficulties at the terminal. The BIWTA also extended the suspension directive to other regions, indicating that all passenger launches nationwide would remain halted until visibility improves.