Passenger vessels in Arakan State to halt operations due to cyclonic storm

06 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 May 2023, Sittwe

Express boat services in Arakan State will halt operations because of a potential storm that is likely to sweep across the region next week.

A depression in the Bay of Bengal will turn into a cyclonic storm on May 10, and move off the Arakan coast, reported the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.

As maritime risk can be significant in case of a cyclonic storm, ferry boat services plan to halt their operations depending on the situation.

Manager U San Maw Thein of Shwe Pyi Tan express boat service said: “We will halt our operations depending on weather conditions. The Inland Water Transport Department and Department of Meteorology and Hydrology have told us to exercise caution in our operations between May 9 and May 13. The storm may hit Arakan after May 10, and we will halt operations on May 8 and 9 depending on weather conditions.”

The depression, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, is likely to occur in the southeast of the Bay of Bengal on May 8. It may get stronger, and become a storm on May 9. The storm may move northwards and hit the Ayeyarwady Delta and Arakan coast on May 10 as a cyclonic storm.

“Kisspanadi” vessels operated by the Inland Water Transport Department are still operating currently, but are awaiting instruction from state-level authorities about when to halt operations, said an official of Taungup Township Inland Water Transport.

Heavy rains and strong winds are expected in the Delta, the Gulf of Martaban, and along and off the coast of Arakan, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.

There could be floods and landslides due to the storm, said the department, urging fishing trawlers and the public to exercise caution.

Village administrators and concerned officials have been urging villagers in the Bay of Bengal region and along the coast of Arakan to make preparations and brace for the storm.