Fri | Jul 3, 2026

At least 24 dead in Bangladesh from tropical storm

Published:Tuesday | October 25, 2022 | 1:35 PM
Fishermen on the Bay of Bengal coast secure their boats anticipating a storm in Patenga, Chittagong, Monday, October 24, 2022. Authorities in Bangladesh were evacuating hundreds of thousands of people across its vast coastal region on Monday as a tropical storm quickly approached amid fears of extensive damage. (AP Photo)

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A tropical storm that lashed Bangladesh left at least 24 people dead and about eight million without power across the delta nation, officials and news reports said Tuesday.

The government said about 10,000 homes were damaged and more than 6,000 hectares of crops were destroyed.

Thousands of fishing projects were also washed away.

The United News of Bangladesh news agency said about 20,000 people were marooned because of flooding triggered by tidal surges in the southern coastal district of Bhola.

Tropical Storm Sitrang brewed in the Bay of Bengal before turning north toward Bangladesh's vast coast, prompting authorities to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people to cyclone shelters Monday.

Heavy rains battered the country throughout the day, flooding many areas in the coastal regions across southern and southwestern Bangladesh.

The storm weakened Tuesday afternoon, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 65 kilometres (40 miles) per hour and wind gusts up to 85 kph (53 mph).

The weather office in the capital, Dhaka, which had recorded gusts up to 88 kph (55 mph) Monday evening, said the danger had passed.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.