Odisha CM Patnaik speaks to Mamata, assures support amid Amphan crisis

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik spoke to West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee on Friday and assured all possible support to overcome crisis triggered by cyclone Amphan that has claimed at least 77 lives and left a trail of destruction in her state.

During a telephonic conversation, Patnaik enquired about intensity of dam caused due to extremely severe cyclonic storm and conveyed Odisha's absolute solidarity with people of West Bengal at this hour of crisis, a statement released by Odisha Chief Minister's Office said

Patnaik also assured all possible support to West Bengal in terms of men and materials to overcome this critical situation, it said. Chief Minister's telephonic discussion with Banerjee came a day after he assured to provide all possible assistance to West Bengal, which has been ravd by cyclone Amphan that made landfall in Sunderbans on Wednesday.

As extremely severe cyclonic storm rolled past Odisha coast and hit West Bengal, Patnaik expressed deep grief at loss of lives and massive dam to property caused by calamity in neighbouring state. Patnaik had on Thursday directed chief secretary to remain in touch with his West Bengal counterpart and ensure all possible assistance to neighbouring state.

" people of Odisha stand with people of West Bengal at this hour of crisis," he had said. While cyclone Amphan caused minimal dam to Odisha as it passed along state's coast, it inflicted extensive dam in vast areas of West Bengal. Amphan is considered to be second major cyclone in Bay of Bengal after super cyclone of 1999, which had claimed around 10,000 lives in Odisha and devastated vast areas in state.

In 2018, Odisha had rushed men and resources to sourn state of Kerala, which was severely hit by unprecedented floods. rescue-and-relief teams from Odisha actively took part in rehabilitation and resettlement of flood-hit people in Kerala.

Patnaik's assurance to neighbouring state coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to West Bengal and Odisha to take stock of post-cyclone situation in two eastern states.