Deputy Director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Joynal Abedin said the water level has been falling by about 12 cm for the last three days. At least eight and half feet water is needed for smooth movement of ferries but now the depth is six to seven feet only, he added.

BIWTC Deputy General Manager SM Shahadat said the ferries are carrying half of their normal load due to poor navigability.

Ferries ply with risk as their propellers at times touch the sand underneath, ferry operators said while talking to this correspondent yesterday.

Paturia-Daulatdia and Paturia-Nagarbari (Kazirhat) routes are vital because these link the capital with south and southwestern parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the launch employees withdrew their indefinite strike as the owners agreed to accept demands of the employees at a meeting at Launch Owners Association office at Aricha ghat in Manikganj yesterday.

Aricha Ghat Launch Owners Association President Anwar Hossain, Secretary Abdur Rahim Khan, Aricha Ghat Launch Employees Association President Mohiuddin, Secretary Jalal Uddin and central unit leaders of the associations were present at the meeting.