Cyclone toll rises to 45; rescue operations begin in WB

Kolkata, May 26 (PTI) The death toll due to Monday's
havoc caused by cyclone 'Aila' in India's eastern state of
West Bengal rose to 45 on Tuesday.

The highest number of 20 deaths occurred in South 24
Parganas district followed by eight in North 24 Parganas, six
each in Kolkata and Howrah, three in Birbhum and one each in
Bankura and Malda, official sources said.

Two columns of army, one each in Sandeshkhali and Kultali
of North and South 24 Parganas districts respectively, were
carrying out rescue and relief operations, defence spokesman
Wing Commander Mahesh Upasani told PTI.

Six more army columns were on standby, he said.

Two MI-17 helicopters were air-dropping food packets in
the two worst hit areas in the two districts, he said.

The army would also take up operations in Hingalganj in
North 24 Parganas and Gosaba, Patharpratima and Sagardwip
areas in South 24 Parganas.

India's Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to
visit Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district Tuesday.

The cyclone and its after effects were over, Regional
Meteorological Centre Director G C Debnath said.

However, there was a possibility of rain, he said.

The cyclone ushered in the state a fortnight ahead of the
schedule, Debnath told PTI.

Life in the metropolis was returning to normal today with
people going to markets, offices and educational institutions,
Deputy Commissioner (HQ) Javed Shamim said.

Uprooted trees that were lying in some areas, blocking
roads, were being cleared. Some areas were still water-logged,
he said, adding that several areas in Kolkata and the two
districts were without electricity since Monday.

The storm on Monday ripped through Kolkata, North and
South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Burdwan and East Midnapore
affecting a population of 1.10 lakh.

Meanwhile, incessant rains were reported from all the six
districts in North Bengal as a residual effect of the cyclone.
PTI COR
RAI
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