Four launch stations have closed down because of accumulation of silt in 30 kilometre area of waterways in greater Barisal region. New shoals have emerged in the riverbeds of Kirtonkhola, Arial khan, Kalabadar, Shikarpur, Hizla, Naya Bhanguni, Sugandhaya, Sandhaya and Meghna as the intensity of current of rivers decreased considerably, according to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Barisal Port authority and launch owners’ association.