No water, no food but looting was the order of the day in some of the hurricane-hit areas even as conditions worsened in New Orleans and some areas of Mississippi on Friday.
The misery was compounded by lawlessness-- looting and even shots being fired at a relief helicopter. And even days after the hurricane disaster, the number of people who have died is not ascertained.
The Federal and State governments and non-official agencies have yet to reach large numbers of people who want help. Police were being strengthened by National Guards to maintain law and order situation.
Meanwhile, US President George W Bush wrote to the Speaker of House of Representatives for a speedy approval of a $10.5 billion relief package to the Hurricane victims.
"This request responds to urgent needs associated with immediate response and recovery efforts associated with Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and other affected areas," Bush said.
Budget Director Josh Bolten told reporters that Bush's request was a measure to ensure that there was no disruption in funding for the relief efforts and said that they would approach the Congress again to make an additional request that will be better informed about the likely scope and cost of the disaster.
Bush, apart from pressing federal agencies to speed up relief efforts, also directed the Office of Personnel Management to establish an emergency leave transfer programme to assist employees affected by Hurricane Katrina.
The emergency leave transfer programme will permit government employees in an executive agency to donate unused annual leave to other employees.
