Ferry speed boat services have been stopped for 10 days in Tenasserim division due to heavy rains, a source close to the transportation company announced.
 
“The ferry boat didn’t run since July 20 because of the heavy rains in Tenasserim region. We will know by 8 p.m. whether the ferry would work or not”, the source added.
 
Two ferry boats run every day aground Tavoy, Mergu and Kawthaung. One ferry boat is able to provide transportation for 200 – 400 passengers. There are 9 ferries in Tennasserim and are all owned by a private company.
 
“Tennasserim authorities don’t allow the ferries to run because of the rain and the winds. The wind speed could reach 45 miles per hour. However, there is no official statement yet”, the source from the ferry company added.
 
A broker from Kawthaung Township his workers stayed stuck in Tavol. They wait for better weather conditions, so they could move to Kawthaung. They tried to catch a flight but it didn’t work either.
 
Monsson rains are really strong and sometimes could provoke huge waves along the Myanmar’s coasts, according to information of “New Light of Myanmar Bay of Bengal”.
 
The bad weather not only disturbs the traveling along the coastal region, but it also stopped the flights from Rangoon to Tavol and Mergu. However, flights from Rangoon to Kawthaung are still available and regular.
 
Many migrant workers use to travel by ferry boat from Tavoy to Kawthoung because it takes only one day, the ferry can carry 200 passengers, and there are no government check points on the way. The ticket costs 45,000 kyat per person. If passengers from other townships travel to Kawthoung the cost is 75 000 kyat because they have to pay 30 000 kyat at a check point.
 
Although the ferry boats and the flights are not available at the moment, the boats transporting charcoal and timber are regularly running.