More than 50 vessels carrying thousands of passengers from Dhaka to the southern region remained stranded at different points on the Meghna and its channels.

The river craft reached different destinations under Barisal, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Barguna, Bhola, Jhalakathi, Khulna and Bagerhut districts 8 to 12 hours late,

according to our Barisal correspondent.

Ferry service at Maowa came to a halt at about 1:00am due to dense fog. The service resumed at about 10:30am amid huge traffic jam on both sides.

On Daulatdia-Paturia route, the ferry service was disrupted for three hours, causing severe traffic congestion on both sides of the Padma. Eight ferries remained stranded in the mid-river.

Chief of BIWTC ferry sector Shahadat Ali told the UNB that though there are adequate number of ferries on Daulatdia-Paturia route, the ferry movement is being hampered due to dense fog.

The BIWTC authorities in a press release yesterday said they have been monitoring the "temporary" problem in ferry movement on Doulatdia-Paturia

and Maowa-Char Janajat route since Thursday.

High officials of BIWTC were present in the ferry ghat while army, Rab and police have been deployed to provide security to public life and property, the release added.

Passengers travelling by road in other parts of the country also faced the same problem due to dense fog. Buses with Eid passengers aboard reached their destination three to four hours late.