Chief minister Naveen Patnaik directed officials to provide Rs 1,000 in cash, 50 kg rice and 2.5 litre kerosene to families affected by cyclone Titli and the floods that followed even as he drew flak from the entire Opposition over glaring failures in handling the situation and the cover-up of the casualty which it said was more than 47.

The government says 18 deaths have taken place, but field visits by Congress, CPM, BJP and others have revealed that 47 had died in districts of Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada. There are a few others who are missing, said the Congress on Monday.

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The Naveen Patnaik government was interested in propaganda and photo opportunities or slogans like zero casualty, decried the opposition while alleging that for over three days relief had not reached the distressed people in many areas.

CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said the failure is glaring.Even evacuation figures provided by the government agencies do not match, the death tool does not tally and relief work has been shoddy, he said.

OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik too levelled the same charges and said it was shocking that the government and its officers were trying to hoodwink people by making false claims even when affected people were suffering for over four days. This is sheer insensitivity on the part of the government, he remarked.

The BJP pointed out at reports from its party teams that had fanned out in Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada districts to note at the number of deaths, absence of advance warnings and non availability of relief.

In his review of the relief and restoration work on Monday, the CM made announcements with regards to immediate advance ration and money to victims. He also asked officers to provide polythene to the people whose houses had been damaged by the cyclone.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary AP Padhi visited affected areas of Gajapati district. He said Rs 1,000 is to be given to victims from tomorrow and the remaining Rs 2000 transferred to their bank accounts.

Supply of electricity to Parlakhemundi and Kashinagar will be restored by tonight, he informed. Special allocations will be made to the rural development department for restoration of roads.

A total of 57 lakh people in 114 blocks of 16 districts have been affected by cyclone Titli and floods. 1,48,000 hectares of paddy crops and 65,000 hectares of non-paddy crops have been damaged, said official sources.