In a special gesture, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday visited cyclone-ravaged areas in Bangladesh and assured that India will extend all possible assistance to the neighbouring country in their hour of crisis.

Mukherjee, who is on a day-long visit to Bangladesh, travelled to a relief camp at Bagerhat in south Bengal and interacted with the victims of the November 15 cyclone.

He asked them about their conditions and assured that India as a friendly neighbour stood ready to help in whatever way it could.

"I am here to convey solidarity and support on behalf of government and people of India in this hour of distress. As a neighbour we stand by you and are ready to provide any assistance whatsoever," he said.

During his visit, he was briefed by top army officials, who are engaged in relief work, about the situation.

He was told that 8.5 million people in 30 districts had been affected by the cyclone and 3,300 have been confirmed dead while 863 are still missing.

The cyclone also saw widespread destruction of property and crops and the total losses were to the tune of 16,000 crore Taka (Rs 8,000 crore approx).