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Cyclone Kills 90 in Bangladesh, India

Hundreds of thousands flee as Aila lashes Bengal region

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 26, 2009 4:54 AM CDT

(Newser) – At least 90 people were killed when a cyclone ripped into Bangladesh and eastern India yesterday, Reuters reports. Tens of thousands of others lost their homes and crops as Cyclone Aila caused tidal waves and flooding. Troops in both countries are scrambling to rescue marooned people and deliver emergency supplies. Many people are still missing and the death toll is expected to rise significantly.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Pedestrians walk over an uprooted tree in Calcutta, India, yesterday. (AP Photo)

Villagers walk with umbrellas made of palm leaves as rain clouds loom in the sky in eastern India yesterday. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)

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The situation is very grim. We've lost at least 50,000 bamboo and mud-built houses which have been washed away by tidal water.
- Kazi Atiur Rahman, a Bangladeshi
military official

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Cyclone Kills 90 in Bangladesh, India