DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) – The death toll from massive landslides triggered by heavy rains rose to 132 on Wednesday with firefighters, police and soldiers struggling to reach the remote southeastern districts to distribute aid, officials said.
It was not clear yet if any villagers were still missing after large chunks of mud swept over thatched homes and settlements in three hilly districts on Tuesday, a day after heavy rains began across the country because of the influence of a depression in the Bay of Bengal.
After an overnight halt in the search and rescue operation, rescuers resumed Wednesday morning, said Reaz Ahmed, a senior official of the Disaster Management Ministry.
Military spokesman Rezaul Karim said Tuesday that several soldiers were killed and five injured while clearing debris and mud from a highway.
Rains that began early Monday had cleared, allowing rescuers to work faster in searching for survivors. But some areas still remained cut off.