Aila toll 49, IAF airdropping food packets

Kolkata, May 26 (PTI) Army began rescue and relief
operations in cyclone-hit districts of eastern Indian state of
West Bengal Tuesday and IAF helicopters air-dropped food
packets in worst-affected South and North 24 Parganas even as
the statewide toll shot up to 49.

The highest number of 20 deaths due to cyclone Aila
occurred in South 24 Parganas followed by nine in North 24
Parganas, six each in Kolkata and Howrah, three in Birbhum,
two in Nadia and one each in Bankura, Cooch Behar and Malda,
official sources said.

The cyclone, which spared Kolkata yesterday, has
weakened and turned into a depression over North Bengal, Met
officials said.

"The cyclone has weakened and lost much of its
intensity last night and now has turned into a depression over
the North Bengal, lying close to Siliguri Tuesday," Regional
Meteorological Centre director G C Debnath told PTI.

"It will further weaken and totally wither away by
tonight," Debnath said.

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

Six more army columns were on standby, he said.

Two MI-17 helicopters were air-dropping food packets
in the hardest hit areas in South and North 24 Parganas
districts, Upasani said.

The IAF has also kept its transport aircraft and
helicopters of the Eastern fleet on standby for deployment at
short notice.

A 200-member army contingent, including doctors were
rescuing and evacuating people in the two Parganas districts,
a defence statement said.

The relief provided included food and medicines.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee
headed for Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas after taking over as
Railway minister.

Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty held a meeting
to review the situation with Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen,
DGP Sujit Sarkar and Kolkata Police Commissioner Goutam Mohan
Chakraborty.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee who visited
parts of cyclone battered South 24 Parganas instructed
officials to initiate relief and rescue operation on a
war-footing, Chakraborty said.

Finance Minister Ashim Das Gupta visited North 24
Parganas to assess the situation there. PTI CORR
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