Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– At least 24 people were killed and more than 100 others injured as cyclonic storm ‘Roanu’ battered Bangladesh’s coastal areas before it weakened into a land depression on Saturday
Of the dead, 12 were reported from Chittagong, three each were reported from Noakhali and Bhola and Cox’s Bazar and one each from Patuakhali and Laxmipur districts.
The storm knocked down homes and toppled trees, causing the casualties in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Bhola, Noakhali, Patuakhali and Laxmipur. The death toll may rise as many are missing and critically injured.
Tens of thousands of people left their homes in the coastal areas for safety ahead of the storm and afterwards amid high tides, wind gusts and incessant rain.
Several hundred houses, business establishments and shops were damaged while many trees and electric poles uprooted, ponds and fish enclosures washed away and several thousands of people got marooned due to flood triggered by the storms in different coastal districts, according to reports.
The power distribution system was seriously disrupted in the cyclone-hit areas of Chittagong, Comilla and other coastal districts, as a number of electric poles were uprooted there and electric wires damaged.
As Roanu weakened, turned into a low and headed towards India last night, all maritime ports were asked to lower their cautionary signals to “3”.
BBC adds: Cyclone Roanu has pounded coastal areas of Bangladesh, forcing half a million people to flee their homes and leaving at least 24 dead.
It made landfall at noon local time (06:00 GMT) on Saturday, causing floods, landslides and submerging homes.
The storm system has since weakened but heavy rainfall is continuing.
Low-lying Bangladesh is especially vulnerable to flooding and has seen frequent deadly cyclones.
The authorities took over 500,000 people into shelters as Roanu hit.
Among those who died were a mother and daughter who were killed in a landslide in southern Chittagong district, which bore the brunt of the storm, AFP reported.
Several ports have been closed and power lines are down across the country.
The full extent of the damage is not expected to be known until Sunday.

BBN/SSR/AD