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Military Joins Search For Cyclone Survivors In Bangladesh |
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Written by News Editor
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Saturday, 17 November 2007 |
Lebanon news, Lebanese radio
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Beirut
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Dhaka, Bangladesh (AHN) - The Bangladesh military on Saturday joined the search and rescue mission for survivors of the strong tropical cyclone that battered the southern part of the country on Thursday and reportedly left over 1,100 dead.
Cyclone Sidr caused water and tidal surges of up to four feet that leveled houses and croplands in at least 15 coastal villages in Bangladesh. It also forced the evacuation of some 650,000 people and tore down power and telecommunications poles, cutting off affected areas from the rest of the country on Friday.
Helicopters and ships of the military joined search and rescue operations as well as delivering relief goods to those affected by the cyclone, which during its height packed winds with speed over 150 miles per hour.
There are also reports that the U.S. military will be sending two navy ships carrying helicopters and medicines to join efforts in rushing aid to survivors.
Mokhlesur Rahman, a Ministry of Disaster Management official in Dhaka, said, "The toll is rising fast, as we receive more information from outlying areas where telephone lines have been restored."
The government puts the death toll at 932, but scrambled on Friday to restore power and communications in order to get an accurate account of the casualties.
Among the private agencies helping rush relief to those affected by the typhoon are the U.N. World Food Program, the European Commission, Save the Children and the U.S.-based Christian aid group World Vision. |
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