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Hundreds missing after giant waves lash Bangladesh

Two children drowned, about 400 fishermen were missing and thousands of people were marooned after storm-whipped waves from the Bay of Bengal swept Bangladesh’s vast coastline, officials said yesterday.

Sea water flooded several towns, including Patuakhali and part of Cox’s Bazar, forcing many residents to flee as others huddled in their homes braving strong wind and heavy rain.

Weather officials said the sea surge was triggered by a depression in the northern Bay that was likely to persist for a couple of days before crossing India’s Orissa coast.

Two children drowned in Cox’s Bazar beach district, where fishing community leaders said around 400 fishermen were missing at sea.

“The Bay has been very rough since Monday, when dozens of boats managed to return to the shores, but about 400 others are still unaccounted for,” one fisherman said.

Ports have been asked to hoist distant warning signals while fishing trawlers and ships were advised to come back or stay close to shore.

The flooding also damaged hundreds of homes, crops and fish farms, local officials said, without giving any estimate of losses.

The sea remained rough, hampering rescue operations carried out by coast guard sailors and civil volunteers.

“Over 200 fishermen have survived the gusty winds by swimming to the seashore or were plucked from the swirling water by local divers,” said trawler owner Muhammad Alauddin from Patuakhali.

Survivors said the trawlers at sea had ignored the warnings of squalls to take advantage of the peak fishing season.

In Patuakhali district, which was worst hit, homes and businesses were under 2m of sea water, forcing tourists to abandon the exclusive beaches.

Tidal waves flooded the Khulna region, washing away shrimp enclosures, thatched dwellings and rice growing on an estimated 10,000 hectares.

Tidal waves ripped through at least two river dams and disrupted traffic on the strategic Kalapara-Kuakata highway.
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