Neil and Havelock are two of the most popular tourist attractions in Andamans and the only means of transportation from them are vessels and choppers
Around 1,400 tourists are stranded at Havelock and Neil islands in the Andamans due to cyclonic weather conditions and four ships have been pressed into service by the Navy.
The two islands, approximately 40 km from Port Blair, have been hit the most by the cyclonic weather conditions caused by a severe depression over Bay of Bengal, which led to heavy rainfall, strong wind and rough sea conditions, officials said.
The administration has already declared the cyclonic weather as ‘L1 Disaster’. Neil and Havelock are two of the most popular tourist attractions in Andamans and the only means of transportation from them are vessels and choppers, which have stopped operation since Monday last due to bad weather.
Mobile and Internet connectivity have also been snapped in many areas. “About 1,400 tourists, who had visited the islands, are now stranded and unable to return to Port Blair to fly back home,” South Andaman’s deputy commissioner Udit Prakash Rai said.
The local populace of 10 villages of Havelock and Neil islands have also been hit severely.
Andaman administration officials said the cyclonic weather has uprooted trees, disrupted power supply and caused flooding in some low-lying areas of Port Blair. Mobile and internet connectivity have also been snapped in many areas.
There is, however, no reason to panic, the officials said, adding that the administration is fully geared up to tackle any situation. At a high-level meeting in Raj Niwas, Lt Governor Jagdish Mukhi reviewed the situation and relief operations.
Though the Navy was pressed into action, operations could not begin due to tough weather conditions. Naval ships Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and Light Craft Utility (LCU) 38 have been deployed for evacuation.
The sudden evacuation mission was planned at the request of the Andaman and Nicobar disaster management, fearing a “cyclonic storm” at Havelock.
“Ships are waiting outside the harbour. Adequate food, fresh water, medicines and doctors, besides divers and local administration personnel, are being ferried to provide relief,” said a navy official.
The ships, which departed Port Blair at 0315 hours, will ferry the stranded tourists back to Port Blair.
(Inputs from PTI)
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