A storm in the Bay of Bengal sank seven fishing boats and at least 60 Bangladeshi fishermen were missing, police said on Sunday.
The storm on Saturday also triggered a metre-high water surge, washing away some houses and shops on the island of Saint Martin, about 500km south-east of the capital Dhaka.
About 500 people were stranded at Kuakata beach town, 400km south of Dhaka, after the sea surge damaged road bridges, police and witnesses said.
The missing fishermen were among about 100 people in the seven boats that sank during the storm. The rest were rescued by other boats that managed to reach the shores.
Police said a search for the missing was delayed as the sea was choppy.
The meteorological department said the sea will remain rough for days due to a monsoonal depression, which may cause some rain across the country.
Lack of rain over the last two months has hit crops, officials said.
A storm warning has been issued for the country’s sea ports at Chittagong and Mongla, and fishing trawlers have been asked to stay close to coasts. — Reuters