3 killed as Cyclone Akash hits Bangladesh coast

Three fishermen were killed in Saint Martin's Island, 9 km south of Cox's Bazar, while at least 50 went missing in the Bay of Bengal as Cyclone Akash hit Bangladesh's southern shores.

The cyclone crossed the coastal area on Tuesday morning and weakened into a land depression, Daily Star reported on Wednesday.

The cyclonic storm with wind speed up to 80 km an hour swept through the coastal district of Cox's Bazar damaging some 2000 houses, sources at the district administration's control room said.

Meanwhile, bodies of three fishermen were recovered from Saint Martin's Island, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency said.

About 100,000 men, women and children, who evacuated to some 475 cyclone shelters across the coast and offshore islands, returned to their homes, officials said.

Reports from the coastal areas of Bhola, Patuakhali, Barguna and Pirojpur districts said that several lowlands near the riverbanks and coasts were flooded due to high tide prompted by the cyclone since Monday morning.

First Published: May 16, 2007 11:23 IST