More than 1100 people killed over cyclone in Bangladesh

www.chinaview.cn 2007-11-17 00:38:27

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Graphic showing the path of Tropical Cyclone Sidr. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

DHAKA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- More than 1100 people were killed, many missing and thousands injured in Bangladesh as a powerful cyclone lashed country's south and southwestern regions Thursday evening.

Private news agency UNB reported Friday among the 1100 people 500 are from southern Barguna district.

Official television station BTV put the death toll at 455.

Rescuers and survivors feared death toll would climb up further with availability of a clear picture of death and destruction from remote and inaccessible islands that remained cut off till Friday evening.

Families look at the devestation caused by the cyclone in the village Kanainagar, in Mongla in Khulna, some 320 kms south of the capital Dhaka.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

The terrible tropical storm code-named SIDR with a speed of up to 240 kph crossed through southern Barisal-Khulna belt from the Bay of Bengal early Friday, flattening thousands of houses, uprooting trees, snapping telephone and power lines.

All the country was under darkness because the cyclone made the national grid failed to work. Some parts of the country have resumed electricity supply, but most parts of the country still have no electricity.

Chief Advisor of interim government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and army chief General Moeen U Ahmed visited the worst hit coastal districts by helicopter and ordered local administration to gear up relief operation.