Swollen by a depression, the seawaters also swamped some other coastal areas, particularly the district headquarters of Barguna and Jhalakathi.

"The high tide surging from the Bay washed away over 500 dwelling houses within two hours," said one of the victims, describing the scene as a brief rekindling of the cyclone horror of April 29, 1991.

The homeless people took refuge in two cyclone shelters in the island.

A two-kilometre stretch of the flood protection dam around the island was also devoured by the tides. Besides, a number of fish farms were overflowed, causing a huge loss.

In Barguna, the district town went under knee-deep water yesterday because of the abrupt rise in Bay waters.

Golam Sarwar Road, Pharmacy Patti, Bazar Road and Rupali Bank area in the town remained under water for five to six hours, causing sufferings to the people.

The Bay waters, surging inland through rivers and streams, also washed the Betagi thana complex, spoiling its documents and hampering official activities.

Water in sea, rivers and rivulets kept swelling since Tuesday and the rise continued till yesterday, inundating the low-lying areas on the coast.

Unusual rise of water coupled with gusty wind hampered normal life and activities in the shoal areas, said locals.

The rough sea forced hundreds of fishermen of Pathargatha, Taltali and Sahipur to anchor their trawlers close to the coast.

Another report from Jhalakathi said about 80 per cent roads in the town was inundated and Kathalia upazila sadar remained under knee-deep water.

Fisheries officials said about 60 per cent fish in the district were swept away by the swollen Bay waters.

Union Parishad sources said many houses in the villages were submerged.