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Dozens Killed by Cyclone Sitrang in Bangladesh

Dozens Killed by Cyclone Sitrang in Bangladesh
Damage from Cyclone Sitrang in Bangladesh | Image by AFP

At least 24 people have died as a result of a tropical storm in Bangladesh, according to local officials on Tuesday.

The storm, named Cyclone Sitrang, left millions without power across the nation, according to the Associated Press.

As the cyclone moved inland from the Bay of Bengal, a mass evacuation prompted hundreds of thousands of people to flee to dedicated cyclone shelters on Monday.

More than a foot of rain fell on the country after the storm pounded the nation with torrential rainfall and quick gusts of wind, reported AccuWeather.

Eight of the recorded deaths were a result of a dredger, a barge with a large crane, that capsized in the Bay of Bengal. The rest of those who died were killed by drowning, falling trees, or falling structures, according to local media.

Dhaka, the capital city, received five times as much rainfall in 48 hours as it normally receives in a month.  Dhaka usually records only 3.5 inches of rain during the month of October, but the storm caused a record 17 inches of rain.

More than 10,000 homes were destroyed and more than 15,000 acres of crops were damaged, according to government officials. Additionally, about 20,000 people were marooned as a result of flooding in the area from tidal surges in the Bhola district.

Many other regions, such as the coastal southern and southwestern Bangladesh areas, were likewise flooded.

Bangladesh is a nation of more than 160 million people, which is particularly susceptible to flooding and other natural disasters due to its location.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the storm had weakened considerably, with wind speeds down to 40 mph and gusts down to 53 mph. A weather office in Dhaka said that the greatest danger of the storm had passed.

The last severe tropical storm to hit Bangladesh was Tropical Storm Mora in May 2017.

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