Dhaka: Decomposed bodies littered Bangladesh's cyclone ravaged southern coastline sparking fears of epidemic as authorities today struggled to provide relief to lakhs of homeless survivors of the worst storm in nearly two decades that has so far claimed 2,200 lives.

The Red Crescent Society warned that the number of deaths from cyclone SIDR that pummeled 25 of its 64 districts on Thursday could be as high as 10,000 as reports of casualties were trickling in from inaccessible worst-hit areas. With bodies and carcasses rotting in open and rescuers and medical teams finding it difficult to reach survivors in the worst affected 11 districts, authorities feared outbreak of epidemic.

Nearly 27 lakh people were facing acute shortage of food and water in the coastal districts where most of the dwellings have been flattened. At least 2,206 people have died, Selina Shahid of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management said, adding the toll could rise further as more information comes in from battered regions. Chairman of the Red Crescent Society Abdur Rab said "the toll could be as high as 10,000 as more reports were coming in".

Thousands of people still remain untraced with five barges, 73 trawlers and 25 launches reported missing since the cyclone hit the coastal belt. "We are continuing our frantic search for bodies in the affected areas," an official said, adding airforce helicopters and naval ships continued their relief efforts today.

Source : PTI