Port Blair: Home minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the 1,400 tourists stranded at Havelock and Neil islands in the Andamans due to cyclonic weather conditions are safe and they will be brought back as soon as the intensity of the cyclone reduces.
Four ships have been pressed into service by the Navy on Wednesday to evacuate them.
The two islands, approximately 40 kms from Port Blair, have been hit the most by the cyclonic weather conditions caused by a severe depression over southeast 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.
"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 by the cyclone which has hampered the movement of essential supplies.
Indian naval ships Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 have been deployed for evacuation, which has not yet begun because of unfavorable weather conditions.
"The ships are waiting outside the harbor. Adequate food, fresh water, medicines and doctors besides divers and local administration personnel are being ferried on board to provide succor and relief," a defense official said.
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 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 being carried out by the administration.
He has directed all departments to ensure timely response and co-ordinated action so that quick relief reaches the people.
The tourism department has also set up help desks at the Port Blair airport, Havelock and Neil islands.
(With agency inputs)
