Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday spoke to his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee and assured her of all possible support to overcome the crisis triggered by Cyclone Amphan, which has ravaged two districts and part of Kolkata and claimed at least 77 lives in her State.

During a telephonic conversation, Patnaik enquired about the intensity of the damage caused due to the Amphan and conveyed her that people of Odisha are with the people of West Bengal at this hour of crisis. He offered supports in terms of men and materials in undertaking restoration works, informed a statement of the Chief Minister’s Office.

A day after the extremely severe cyclonic storm rolled past the Odisha coast and made landfall on the West Bengal coast at Sundarban, Patnaik expressed deep grief over loss of lives and massive damage to infrastructure caused by the calamity in the neighbouring State.

On Thursday, Patnaik had directed Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy to remain in contact with his West Bengal counterpart and ensure all possible assistance to the neighbouring State.

“I am deeply saddened at the loss of so many lives and the trail of destruction due to Cyclone Amphan. In this hour of crisis, people of Odisha are with people of West Bengal. Asked the Chief Secretary to be touch with Chief Secretary of West Bengal and extend all possible help,” tweeted Patnaik.

The Cyclone Amphan is considered to be the second major cyclone in the Bay of Bengal after the Super Cyclone of 1999, which had claimed around 10,000 lives in Odisha and devastated vast areas in the State.

It may be noted that Odisha, earlier in 2018, had rushed men and resources to Kerala, which was severely hit by floods. Its rescue-and-relief teams actively took part in the rehabilitation and resettlement of Kerala people.