DACCA: Thirty-six persons were killed and many injured in the devastating cyclonic storm that battered the six districts of East Pakistan on Friday, according to reports received till this evening [Oct 24]. It is feared the death toll will go up as more reports of the devastation wrought by the cyclone come in from the far-flung areas.

In Khulna alone 21 persons were reported to have been killed. The district administration, however, confirmed 15 deaths. In Dacca city two persons lost their lives by a falling tree and wall collapse while in Taraghat near Manikganj four persons died in a boat disaster. Faridpur reported two deaths....

In Goalando sub-division of Faridpur district a boat capsized with eight persons on board all of whom are reported to be missing. Another three persons are reported to be missing at Aricha Ghat when a boat sank.

While sketchy reports were received throughout the day today about the devastation caused by yesterday’s cyclone, a full picture is yet to emerge as telecommunication could not be established with places like Patuakhali, Perojpur, Bagerhat and Madaripur, which were known to have borne the main brunt of the cyclone. The fate of the cluster of islands and islets near Patuakhali is also unknown.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2020