The twister hit villages in northern Mymensingh and Netrokona districts late Wednesday just after celebrations for the Bengali New Year ended.

"Latest information we have is that at least 39 people died in the tornado," Abdul Kahar, an administrative official in Netrokona district, said by telephone.

In adjacent Mymensingh, local officials reported at least 14 people had died.

A spokesman for the disaster management control room in Dhaka said Friday relief operations were underway in the affected areas.

"Besides cash and dry food, medical help is being provided by government agencies," the spokesman said, adding that his office was still awaiting a comprehensive report on the tragedy.

Twisted tin and uprooted trees littered the areas, while villagers wailed in mourning outside their levelled homes as the dead were slowly buried, a local reporter said.

"Dead fish pulled out of the ponds added a foul smell in some areas," he said.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and main opposition Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina Wajed were separately touring the affected villages Friday, officials said.

Hospitals in Netrokona and Mymensingh were overflowing with people injured in the tornado, officials said as television footage showed patients lying on the floor.

Some of the injured suffered broken bones and head injuries after being thrown through the air by the force of the storm, local officials said.

Rescue workers continued to search for those reported missing after the tornado levelled 29 villages in the two districts.

Storms, tornadoes and cyclones are frequent in Bangladesh at the start of summer.

TERRA.WIRE