Cyclone kills 17 people in India and Bangladesh

KOLKATA, INDIA - At least 17 people were killed in eastern India and Bangladesh on Monday when a cyclone slammed into coastal areas and triggered tidal surges and flooding, leaving thousands homeless, officials said.

Authorities shut down operations at Bangladesh's main ports of Chittagong and Mongla as the storm bearing winds of up to 100 kph (60 mph) hit the neighbouring eastern Indian state of West Bengal.

Heavy rains triggered by the storm raised river levels and burst mud embankments in West Bengal's Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, which holds thousands of people as well as the world's biggest tiger reserve. At least 10 people died in the storm in West Bengal, mostly due to house collapses or falling trees, officials said.

Tourists were asked to stay in their hotels in West Bengal's southern coastal resort of Digha, four hours drive from Kolkata.

Tidal waves triggered by the storm in the Bay of Bengal damaged thousands of houses in Bangladesh, in mostly Khulna district near the Sundarbans. At least seven people were killed in storm surges and house collapses, officials said.

"Thousands of families have been moved to shelters and many left on their own," said Salahuddin Chowdhury, an official of the Cyclone Preparedness Centre in Chittagong.

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