Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik conducted an aerial survey of cyclone-hit areas in his state on Saturday. The CM said that the floods caused by the cyclone have damaged crops and cut off all means of communication with affected areas.

He assured that all measures are being taken to provide relief and rescue to all affected people.

“Did an aerial survey of the flood affected areas in #Gajapati, #Rayagada & #Ganjam districts; noted widespread damages to crops, roads, electrical installations etc. Rescue & relief operations are in full swing,” he wrote on Twitter.

“All measures are being taken to reach every single needy person,” the CM said, adding that he will review the situation at 5 pm with all departments.

Did an aerial survey of the flood affected areas in #Gajapati, #Rayagada & #Ganjam districts; noted widespread damages to crops, roads, electrical installations etc. Rescue & relief operations are in full swing. pic.twitter.com/eYSk70Vc3I

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 13, 2018

Patnaik said that he will direct further course of action following the meeting. Speaking to reporters after the survey, Patnaik said that a detailed research will be conducted to decide how much fund to ask from Centre.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy deployed two Chetak helicopters for relief mission. The choppers dropped food packets at 19 locations in Ganjam and Gajapati districts besides carrying supplies for accessible areas.

In Aksa village, which was nearly inundated by the flood waters, Indian Naval Diving team have undertaken rescue and relief operation at Aksa village in Ganjam district.

Patnaik praised the efforts of Indian Navy divers who risked their lives to save the people in distress.

“Appreciate valiant efforts of @indiannavy divers in high risk operations at Aska; putting their own lives in danger to save the lives of people marooned in their flooded homes post #CycloneTitli. We will take every possible step to reach each affected person with required help,” he wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, special relief commissioner BP Sethi said on Saturday that at least 12 people are feared dead and four missing in a landslide triggered by heavy rain after Cyclone Titli in Odisha’s Gajapati district.

The incident occurred when some villagers took shelter in a cave structure following very heavy rainfall on Friday evening, he said.

A rescue team, including personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), rushed to the area which was ravaged by incessant rainfall. The cyclone had made a landfall on Thursday southwest of Gopalpur near Palasa, said an official.

Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations gained momentum as water has started receding in other areas, officials said.

About 60 lakh people were affected in the cyclone and flood and normal life was badly hit in Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts where the flood situation remained grim as water levels in major rivers such as Rushikulya and Bansadhara crossed danger marks, official sources said.

As many as 1,27,262 people were sheltered in 963 relief centres on Friday, while the NDRF and the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) were deployed to speed up rescue and relief operations, Sethi said.

Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Puri, Kandhamal and Kendrapara districts were affected by floods, he said, adding Ganjam was categorised as the “worst-affected”.

The state government cancelled the Dusshera vacation of all its employees in the southern and central division, including Bhubaneswar, in view of Cyclone Titli and subsequent flooding in different parts of the state.

(With inputs from agencies)