Indian Ferry Sinks in Severe Storm
May 02, 2012; 5:46 AM
More than 100 people have been killed with many still missing after a ferry sank in the Brahmaputra River of northeastern India during a thunderstorm on Monday.
About 150 people had been rescued, but another 100 or more were still missing, the BBC News said on Tuesday.
Rain, wind and darkness hampered rescue workers.
The ferry had been carrying about 350 passengers, the AP said.
A district authority said that the boat broke into two pieces after capsizing in heavy rain and high wind, according to the AP.
About 200 people were apparently "packed" inside the boat along with cargo, whereas a further 150 were on top of the ferry when the storm hit, a passenger told local television.
The disaster happened in Assam state of northeastern India, near where the mighty Brahmaputra River enters Bangladesh. A ferry crossing from Fakirganj to Dhubri, in the reported area of the sinking, stretches about 5 miles across this massive river, online mappers show.
Meteorological data available to AccuWeather.com indicated that there have been daily thunderstorms in the region of late, including Monday.
Pre-monsoon thunderstorms happen each year in northeastern India, where they are notorious for their bursts of high wind, torrential rain, hail and even a rare tornado.