Low-lying areas of Bangladesh could face more flooding this weekend as a tropical cyclone that has killed hundreds heads inland, a forecaster said Friday.
Cyclone Sidr, with sustained winds of at least 131 mph (210 kph), made landfall Thursday night along the western coast of Bangladesh near the border with India, unleashing floodwaters.
Local officials said at least 500 people were killed. But a United News of Bangladesh report put the death toll at at least 1,100.
The storm had weakened significantly by the time it reached eastern India on Friday night, but it was still loaded with moisture.
"It's now a rainmaker, snowmaker" as it moves to higher elevations, and winds have dropped to 35 to 50 mph (56 to 80 kph) -- below hurricane strength -- according to CNN meteorologist Kevin Corriveau. The storm is moving northeast, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
But Bangladesh isn't entirely safe, Corriveau added.
He said it's possible rainfall from mountains will swell rivers, and by Sunday night or Monday the surge could reach already flooded locations in Bangladesh.
Forecasters predicted dry, clear weather with no wind in Bangladesh for the next two days, good news for search-and-rescue teams looking for casualties (CNN)