Death toll from storm rises to 31

The death toll from Thursday's violent storms rose to 31 as six more bodies were recovered in Monpura and Charfassion upazilas of Bhola yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, two days after the storms swept the coastal districts of Noakhali, Bhola, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said the government was inquiring into whether there was any failure of the Met Office in forecasting the storms.
Two bodies were found in the Meghna near Janata Bazar at South Sakuchia union of Monpura upazila around 11:30am, Monpura police told our correspondent in Bhola.
The victims Rajib, 22, and Amir Hossain, 40, were from Amdirpar in the union.
Chairman of North Sakuchia Union Parishad (UP) in Monpura said fishermen recovered the body of Bahar Uddin, 35, from the Meghna near Char Nizam.
Earlier around 9:00am, local fishermen found two more bodies of unidentified males floating in the river at North Hazirhat union of the upazila.
Locals in Dhalchar union of Charfassion upazila recovered another body from the Meghna, said Abul Kalam Hawladar, chairman of Dhalchar UP.
The storms damaged hundreds of thatched houses and uprooted trees along roads, disrupting road communications in many areas. Supply of electricity was also suspended.
Talking to newsmen during his visit to the storm-hit areas of Char Elahi in Companiganj upazila of Noakhali, the communications minister said the authorities concerned should learn from the mistakes to avoid such casualty or major damage in future.
Calamities are caused by natural phenomena, but precautionary steps should be taken to minimise damage, added Quader.
The government was examining whether the rescue operation for the missing people was carried out properly, mentioned the minister.