Kolkata, June 7 (ANI): An eleven-member Central team led by Ashok Lavasa, has started its assessment of the damage caused by recent Cyclone Aila in West Bengal.

The cyclone and its aftermath claimed 137 lives and affected 67.5 lakh people. Scarcity of drinking water and the spread of diarrhoea are some of the major problems affecting the people.

Talking to reporters, State Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta said that three members of the team have left for the landslip-affected areas in Darjeeling.Though the threat of a fresh cyclone has abated, water-levels had risen by nearly a foot at some places," he added.

Sen also said that the team would cover Dhamakhali, Sandeskhali, Gosaba, Hingalgunj and Patharpratima in the two worst-affected districts in North and South 24 Parganas.

The team will return to New Delhi on June 9.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee on Saturday met Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and asked for 1000 crore rupees for relief and restoration work in areas hit by Cyclone Aila.

The request was made at a meeting held at Mukherjee's Kolkata residence. (ANI)