South Asia storm leaves 100 dead

Most deaths off Bangladesh, others in India; many fishermen missing

Reuters News Service, Sept. 21, 2006

DHAKA - The number of people killed after storms hit eastern India and Bangladesh rose to nearly 100 with dozens of bodies of fishermen washing up along the coast, officials said on Thursday.

Hundreds of fishermen were still missing in the region, which sees frequent storms forming over the Bay of Bengal.

In Bangladesh, fishermens groups and officials said around 50 bodies had been located on or near the shoreline.

The sea is still rough, hampering rescue bids, said Aminul Islam, district commissioner of Coxs Bazar.

The Bangladesh navy said it was searching for the captain of a patrol boat that ran aground on Tuesday night on an island off Mongla port in the countrys south. Other crew members were rescued by navy helicopters on Wednesday.

In neighboring India, the death toll from the storm that hit West Bengal state on Tuesday night reached 16. Hundreds of fishermen remained missing though officials said some crews had returned to shore safely after being initially reported lost.

Around 180,000 people were left homeless after their mud houses were damaged or destroyed by heavy rains and strong winds. Most of the states fatalities were due to house collapses.

The stormy weather also caused flash floods and killed 31 people in Andhra Pradesh state on Indias eastern coast.

Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited