Dhaka, May 24 -- More than a hundred cattle have been swept away by a sudden tidal surge while crossing a canal in Munshiganj's Gajaria Upazila, with 36 later found dead.

The incident occurred around 4pm on Friday near Bhati Balaki village in Hosendee union, where the canal is connected to the Meghna River, said Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), or Upazila Executive Officer, Md Ashraful Alam.

According to local residents, the cattle from the village go to graze in nearby wetlands every morning and return home in the evening by crossing the canal, which is heavily clogged with water hyacinths.

On Friday, while returning home, the cattle were caught off guard by a sudden surge in tidal currents.

Villagers rushed out of their homes and bega...