District Administration’s Efforts in Rescue & Relief Ensuring No Casualty Lauded

Port Blair, Oct. 9: Heavy to very heavy rain in many places in Andaman Islands and Cyclonic weather conditions prevailing, has badly affected normal lives in the islands. While the situation in the capital Port Blair is better, flooding caused due to heavy rains in Middle Andaman has rendered many homeless.

The flooding at various low lying areas has resulted in closure of the Andaman Trunk Road, with many passengers being held up at different stations. The road between Middle Strait, Jirkatang and Kadamtala was shut down due to heavy winds, not allowing the vehicle ferry connectivity the berth.

Acting swiftly, the Deputy Commissioner and his team, A&N Police and Fire Services ensured no casualty in the disaster stricken areas of Middle & North Andaman. The PRI members too have come to the support of the affected, providing food and shelter to the stranded passengers and those rendered homeless.

The Directorate of Health Services too had made immediate arrangements to provide first aid and emergency service to the needy by opening up a Medical Camp at Zilla Parishad Community Hall, Rangat. Reports gathered indicate that most of the cases at the camp were due to hypertension caused by stress. People complained of body pain but as such no casualty was reported till the last updates received.

The disaster situation had also disrupted electricity in the affected areas. Long power cuts were experienced by the people since past 24 hours. The electricity supply was finally restored at around 20.30 Hrs today.

Meanwhile reports from the Metrological Department and other sources caution for a cyclonic storm heading towards Andaman and Nicobar Island, setting to hit the islands by October 9. The cyclone which has yet to be named, would move west-northwestwards and cross Andaman Islands near Mayabandur by forenoon of Wednesday as a deep depression. It would then continue to move west-northwestwards for some time and then northwestwards towards north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast during next 72 hours.

Minor damages to loose and unsecured structures are expected over Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The fishermen were advised not to venture into Andaman Sea and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal during next 48 hrs.

As per the rainfall updates received here, the Capital City Port Blair recorded a rainfall of 72.8 mm today while Mayabunder recorded 336.0 mm, Long Island: 336.8 mm, Car Nicobar: 65.4 mm, Nancowry:14.8 mm, Hut Bay: 43.4 mm and IAF Car Nicobar: 34.0 mm.  

The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands Lt. Gen. (Retd) AK Singh who has been continuously monitoring the disaster situation has expressed his satisfaction over the swift and well planned efforts of the Deputy Commissioner N&M Andaman district and his team and others involved in rescue and relief operations in the disaster stricken areas.

The Lt. Governor in one of his tweets mentions, “The N&M Andaman DC n his team,, the police,, PRI's n citizens hav responded admirably to the hy rain,, relief work continues,, my compliments”.