NEW DELHI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed by a cyclonic storm that hit India's eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha, officials said on Monday.
Ten people were killed by Cyclone Bulbul in West Bengal, while two deaths were reported in adjacent Odisha.
The cyclonic storm hit Odisha and West Bengal on Sunday, leaving a trail of destruction in coastal districts before moving toward neighboring Bangladesh. The storm triggered gusty winds and heavy rains.
"In West Bengal, death toll in cyclonic storm Bulbul-related incidents has gone up to 10," a local government official said. "Five persons were killed in North 24 Paraganas district, while two in South 24 Paraganas, and one each was killed in East Midnapur, East Bardhaman and Kolkata districts."
Local minister in charge of disaster management Javed Khan said over 465,000 people were affected and 60,000 houses were damaged by the severe cyclonic storm in nine districts of West Bengal.
The cyclonic storm has caused damages to standing crops in the affected districts.
"The administration is sending teams to assess the situation in the districts that were hit by the cyclone," Khan said.
In Odisha, two people were killed because of cyclone Bulbul.
"While one death was reported from Kendrapara, another took place in Mahakalapada area of the district," a senior official in Odisha said.
According to officials, around 40 percent standing crops and over half a million hectares of cultivable land spread over five districts have been damaged due to rain and strong winds triggered by the cyclone.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee would be doing an aerial survey of the affected areas on Monday and has post-phoned her visit to northern parts of state.
"Due to the severe cyclonic storm Bulbul, I have decided to postpone my North Bengal visit in the coming week. Instead, tomorrow I would take an aerial survey of the affected areas around Namkhana and Bakkhali," said a statement issued by Banerjee.
The Indian government said it was monitoring the situation and would extend all possible support to the affected states.
