By Xinhua

Dhaka : A powerful cyclone has claimed 48 lives in Bangladesh's southern coastal area, media reports said Friday.

The most deaths were reported from Barisal district. Other areas in the south like Khulna, Bhola, Bagerhat and Madaripur were also impacted in a big way by Cyclone Sidr, various reports said.

Almost all coastal areas had been affected in Bangladesh and the death toll is likely to go up further.

Electricity and phone lines have been disconnected since midnight in some places, including capital Dhaka, reports said.