Andaman cyclone: 222 people rescued as Air Force, Navy and coast guard launch operations

Despite the progress, the rescue and relief operations need to be intensified as the MeT department predicts a strengthening of the storm by evening today.

Updated: December 9, 2016 1:24 PM IST

By Srividhya Iyer

Andaman cyclone: 222 people rescued as Air Force, Navy and coast guard launch operations

Andaman and Nicobar, December 9: As the rough weather continues to batter the Andaman islands, help does not seem to be too far away for the 1900 tourists stranded over there. In the first rescue shuttle by the Indian Air Force, 17 people have been rescued thus far. Meanwhile, the evacuation of stranded tourists progresses with speed as the Indian Coast Guard joined the operations at Havelock Islands rescuing 85 tourists from the Havelock Islands.

Further, 120 tourists have embarked on two coast guard ships bringing the total of those rescued to 222. Approximately 1,900 tourists have been trapped at the popular tourist destination as cyclonic storms gathered strength. The weather was so bad that strong winds prevented ships from the Navy and the coast guard from providing assistance earlier. Rescue operations had to be stalled as the ships returned back to Port Blair midway during earlier rescue attempts.

However, the air force and six naval vessels both from the Navy and the coast guard had jointly launched renewed rescue attempts this morning. As the weather eased a little, the operations are proving successful. Thus far the storm has claimed no victims as all of the 1900 tourists remain accounted for and safe. Havelock and Neil islands, both popular tourist attractions, are the worst affected due to cyclone ‘Vardah’.

Commenting on the current situation in the islands, Jagdish Mukhi Lieutenant General of Andaman and Nicobar said, “No loss of life and property.Tourists are safe, have asked them to stay in hotels due to bad weather. Things will be better by tomorrow, till then instructed hotels to not charge tourists for stay and food. As situation normalises tourists will be taken to Port Blair as flight are fully operational from there.”

Despite the progress, the rescue and relief operations need to be intensified as the MeT department predicts a strengthening of the storm by evening today. The focal point of the storms currently lies 240 km west-southwest of Port Blair in the Bay of Bengal and according to forecasts is expected to rise to cyclonic levels and move northwestwards today in the evening.

The forecast clarified, “Sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off Andaman islands and adjoining sea areas during the next 24 hours.” The islands are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall today, along with winds reaching an average speed of 45-55 kmph.

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