Source: The Sangai Express / AFP
Dhaka, November 16:
A powerful cyclone that has battered Bangladesh's southwestern coast, has claimed over 550 lives, a report said today.
Cyclone Sidr claimed nearly 550 lives as it swept into Bangladesh's southwestern coast from the Bay of Bengal overnight yesterday, said television network ATN Bangla, citing their own tally.
The private UNB news agency said at least 425 people had died, while government officials put the confirmed death toll at 243 which is likely to climb as reports reaching the capital from devastated areas.
"The death toll has risen to 243.We expect the number will rise further," said Nahid Sultana, of the control room at the ministry of relief and disaster management.
The ministry said this official tally did not include deaths from two districts known to have been worst hitsouthern Barguna and Jhalokatibecause of communication problems.
"We are expecting many dead bodies will be found there," ministry official Mohammad Ayub Mia told reporters.
Most deaths were caused by trees crushing flimsy homes made from bamboo and tin.
In Madaripur district between Dhaka and the southwest coast, an AFP reporter saw devastated villages, one after the other.
Officials, however, have said they are optimistic that the country will see nothing close to the huge loss of life seen in 1970 when half a million people perished and 1991 when a tidal wave caused by a cyclone killed 138,000.