Cyclone Sitrang: Dhaka-Khulna, Dhaka-Barishal highways reopen after 10hrs

Transport movement on Dhaka-Khulna and Dhaka-Barishal highways resumed this morning (October 25, 2022), nearly 10 hours of suspension as uprooted trees blocked several stretches during Cyclone Sitrang.

Around 8:30pm yesterday (October 24, 2022), the cyclone started lashing Bangladesh, uprooting trees. "As the fallen trees blocked at least 80km areas on the two highways, the movement of vehicles had to be suspended," said Taimur Alam, officer-in-charge of Bhanga Highway Police Station.

Around 7am today, vehicular movement resumed on the two highways after highway police and fire service removed the fallen trees, said the OC.

During heavy rains and storm influenced by the cyclone, trees broke down in the Talma Pukuria area on the Dhaka-Barishal highway and in Majhra, Majhigati, Risatala, Joy Bangla, Kailar Mor, Mansurabad on the Dhaka-Khulna highway, said police and fire officials.

Cyclone Sitrang crossed the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola on midnight and weakened rapidly into a depression by giving precipitation, the met office said in its latest bulletin.