Army began rescue and relief operations in cyclone-hit districts of West Bengal today 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 today," 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.
