Monday, March 21 2005 13:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: At least 25 people were killed and over 500 injured in a tornado that swept through two districts in north Bangladesh, leaving a trail of destruction.

Over 3,000 houses were flattened, hundreds of trees uprooted and electricity and communication lines snapped as the twister struck Rangpur and Gaibandha districts late last night (Mar 20, 2005).

A local official said from Gaibandha that 25 bodies had been found from the debris, which was blocking roads and hampering rescue and relief operations.

Nearly 5,000 people have been rendered homeless.

This is the first such devastating twister to hit Bangladesh this season.