The international ferry service connecting Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu with Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka has been suspended for over a month due to the monsoon season weather.

The ferry operator announced on Tuesday (19) that a decision on resuming operations will be taken after 18 December, depending on weather conditions and directives from the Directorate General of Shipping.

“We have stopped the service due to monsoon and as per directions from the Directorate General of Shipping under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways,” IndSri Ferry Services Managing Director Subhashree Sundararaj said.

The ferry named ‘Sivagangai’, which was first launched in October 2023, resumed operations on 16 August. Initially planned as a daily service, operations were scaled back to three days per week due to low passenger numbers.

However, with growing demand, it was later increased to four and then five days per week. The ferry last operated on 5 November and has since remained inactive due to unfavourable weather conditions, including heavy rain and rough sea.

(The New Indian Express)