Tens of thousands of people heading to
their hometowns for the holidays at the end of Ramadan were stranded at ferry
stations as tropical squalls battered the fragile Bangladeshi coastline at the weekend,
officials said Monday, dpa
reported.
Gale winds forced the suspension of ferry services along the southern coast
while half a dozen fishing boats that ignored storm warnings capsized in the
high waves.
About 50,000 holiday makers were trapped at ferry stations across the country
as the river boat service was suspended.
The Disaster Management Department said more than 50,000 people left for home
to spend the week-long Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the
holy month of Ramadan.
At least 12 fishermen were missing in the Bay of Bengal after high winds
devastated thatched homes, rice plains and animal farms.