At least 800 tourists were stranded at Havelock Island in the Andaman due to heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Since the last two days, deep depression over Bay of Bengal is bringing heavy rains to the Havelock Island. According to the Met office, this deep depression will turn into a cyclonic storm over the next 48 hours over Andaman Nicobar.
Depression forms over Southeast #BayofBengal causing heavy rainfall, strong wind & rough sea conditions in #Andaman & Nicobar Islands. pic.twitter.com/e3poByn4kO
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 7, 2016
After the island’s civil administration requested the Centre for immediate help, the Indian Navy quicky deployed four navy ships NS Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 to evacuate the tourists.
#CycloneAlert:4 Navy ships reached #Havelock.Unable 2 dock due 2 high seawaves.Approx.800 tourists stranded.To b evacuated once sea calms pic.twitter.com/ttccGj8XkD
— NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 7, 2016″
”Ships are waiting outside harbour. Adequate food, fresh water, medicines and doctors besides divers and local administration personnel being ferried on board to provide succour and relief,” a Navy official said.
The ships, which had departed Port Blair at 0315 hours, will ferry the stranded tourists back to Port Blair. Havelock is one of the populated islands in the Andaman group.