New Delhi:A massive landslide hit south-eastern Bangladesh, the death toll rose to 106 on Wednesday.
The met office described the torrential rains as the heaviest in last 25 years. Rescue work was ruthlessly affected. Chittagong witnessed a record downpour of 425 millimeters of rain in 24 hours.
Army troops, police and voluntary workers involved in the search operation in worst hit south-eastern Chittagong said more bodies could have been trapped under tonnes of sludge.
Most of the victims were asleep and got buried alive as the series of landslides occurred.
Fifty-nine bodies were recovered from Lebubagan near Chittagong Cantonment, which is the worst affected region. Other bodies were dragged out from nearly 50 other areas.
Most of the city had power cuts as the authorities had suspended the supply of electricity fearing electrocution.
Chief adviser of the military-backed interim administration Fakhruddin Ahmed and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed asked officials to continue rescue operations after visiting the areas affected.
"Our first job is to rescue, treat and help the affected people recover," Fakhruddin said.
More than 103 injured people are being treated at different health facilities.
Army troops, police and hundreds of volunteers joined hands with fire brigade rescuers in search of more bodies, officials said.
Large areas of the Bangladesh coastline have been submerged under 90-120 cm of water because of a moderate tidal surge triggered by the storm, officials told PTI.
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