DHAKA -- Thirty-five people were feared drowned as an engine-propelled boat sank in the country's eastern Narsingdi district, 45 km northeast of capital Dhaka, on Monday.

The boat, carrying 50 passengers, sank in the Meghna River, one of the Bangladesh's three major rivers, as a land depression from the Bay of Bengal triggered rainstorm across the country.

Police was quoted by private news agency UNB as saying, the boat got caught in storms and went under the waters of the river at about 6 pm local time.

Some 35 people went missing while the rest swam ashore, and all those missing are feared dead.

The local administration was directed to rescue the victims and the rescue operation is still underway.