Bhubaneswar, Oct 7 (IANS) At least 42 people, including several women and children, travelling by boat have gone missing in the Bay of Bengal near Dhamra port in Orissa’s Bhadrak district, police said Wednesday.

‘The residents of Nuagaon village had gone in a power boat to visit some nearby temples Tuesday,’ District Superintendent of Police J.N. Pankaj told IANS.

They were last seen at about 5 p.m. Tuesday by some fishermen in the sea when they were on their way back, he added.

The search operations were affected due to high tide in the sea and bad weather conditions, he said, adding that the victims might have taken shelter at some nearby areas.

Local authorities have requisitioned a helicopter and also sought the help of Indian Navy and coast guard.

Dhamra port is about 200 km from Bhubaneswar.