At least 35 die as ferry capsizes in strong winds and rain

Assam state police chief JN Choudhury said the boat was carrying about 350 passengers and broke into two pieces.

About 150 people, who were travelling on the top level, were rescued or swam to safety, he said.

Details were sketchy because bad weather and the remoteness of the area hampered communication.

Mr Choudhury said the accident occurred on the Brahmaputra river near Fakiragram in west Dhubri district.

The area is about 215 miles west of the state capital, Gauhati, and close to where the river enters Bangladesh.

He said officials across the border had been contacted for help dealing with the disaster.

The area is dotted with riverside settlements and small islands, and boats are the most common mode of transport.

Strong winds and rain probably caused the accident, Mr Choudhury said.

Police and paramilitary soldiers were sent to help local villagers with rescue efforts, he added. In a statement, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he was “shocked and grieved” by the incident.

He had “given instructions for all possible assistance to the government of Assam in relief operations”.