Death toll in cyclone Sidr rises to 3199

Dhaka, Nov 22: The death toll in cyclone 'Sidr' that battered Bangladesh's coastal belt on November 15 has risen to 3199, an army spokesman said here today.

A Food and Disaster Ministry bulletin said some 1724 people were still missing after seven days of the cyclone that affected more than 70 lakh people and damaged crops and infrastructure.

Briefing reporters at the Armed Forces Division, Squadron Leader Zahid said 15 choppers, two C-130 and two AN 32 cargo planes airlifted 59.6 tons of emergency relief items for the cyclone victims in 15 coastal districts.

An official said a C-130 aircraft with medical assistance from Pakistan would land in southern Barisal for treatment of injured people.

UNI