Cyclone causes havoc in India, Bangladesh

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Play VideoCyclone kills at least 18 in India

Over 100 people have been killed by Cyclone Aila after it lashed eastern India and Bangladesh. The storm formed in the Bay of Bengal, before leaving a trail of destruction and affecting hundreds of thousands of people.

Thousands of thatched houses in Bangladesh's coastal area were washed away on Tuesday and hundreds of thousands of islanders marooned by a surge 3-to-4 meters high caused by the cyclone.

Aila has so far claimed 72 lives in Bangladesh.

The country's Meteorological Department said on Tuesday the storm, which started crossing the southwestern Khulna coast from Monday afternoon, has now completely passed over the country.

The Bangladeshi government has ordered the armed forces to start rescue and relief operations alongside the civil administration.

It's also allocated a thousand tons of rice to those affected.

The cyclone also lashed India's West Bengal state where nearly three thousand thatched and mud houses were destroyed, leaving at least 34 people dead in the state.

About 80,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes.

Authorities have warned the residents of the state capital Kolkata to stay indoors as Aila advanced towards the city of 12 million, with a wind speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour.

The Indian government said a disaster relief mechanism has been put in place to prevent further damage.