At least 667 people are reported to have died during the storm, a toll that is expected to rise.

The cyclone has destroyed or damaged tens of thousands of homes.

But access to some of the worst affected areas is difficult with roads blocked by debris and power and phone lines cut.

With a huge relief operation now under way, the true extent of the destruction is expected to become clearer on Saturday.

Military helicopters and ships joined the rescue efforts on Saturday, helping deliver supplies and medical assistance to some of the most remote areas.

The ships were also at work clearing channels blocked with sunken vessels.

On land, elephants were employed to clear some of the heavier debris from roads.

The storm hit Bangladesh late on Thursday, with winds rising to 240km/h (150mph).

It passed through the capital Dhaka hours later, before dying down in the north-east of the country.

Southern Bangladesh is hit every year by cyclones and floods, but Cyclone Sidr is the most destructive storm to hit the country in more than a decade.