A massive clean-up operation has begun after the storm left at least 96 dead and flattened homes, uprooted trees and left cities without power.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in West Bengal state to conduct an aerial survey.

Authorities in both countries had evacuated millions of people before the storm struck.

Covid-19 and social-distancing measures made mass evacuations more difficult, with shelters unable to be used to full capacity.

Officials also said people were afraid and reluctant to move to shelters for fear of contracting the virus.

The cyclone arrived with winds gusting up to 185km/h (115mph) and waves as high as 15ft.

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