The ferries lost control and floated aimlessly in the river for a considerable time.
Digital Desk: The mighty dust storm hit Majuli today, 13th April, to create chaos and panic for ferry travelers while they were on the Brahmaputra River. The strong winds from the storm carried multiple ferries carrying numerous passengers from the Dakshinpat (Kamalabari) ghat while breaking loose the ghat structure and making it drift away.
Caught in the storm’s fury, the ferries lost control of all ferries and drifted without direction throughout the river for an extended period. A safety rope securing one of the ferries broke right in front of the cameras, showing the destructive strength of the storm. The ferocious storm kept passengers on board in a state of fear when it lasted almost 45 minutes and prevented any attempts to bring the vessels under control.
After the storm subsided the ferries, the officials somehow managed to bring the ferries back to the ghats and re-secure them. Fortunately, no casualties were reported and everyone survived the storm, however, the storm revealed that extreme weather emergencies and the vulnerability of river transport during these extreme weather.
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