Weather improves in the Andamans, tourists safe

Nearly 500 tourists were brought back to Port Blair from Havelock and other places, Air India will operate flights with a larger aircraft for the next three days to evacuate stranded tourists

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Weather conditions improved significantly over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Wednesday, allowing resumption of ferry services between the islands. Several hundred tourists - many of them from West Bengal - were shifted back to Port Blair from Havelock Island and other locations, where they were stranded in hotels for the last couple of days.

While operations are being carried out by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, the Coast Guard is monitoring the situation and keeping its assets ready for any emergency search and rescue operations.

"The sky is still overcast but the sea state has improved considerably. Ferry services started in the morning itself and in the first lot, nearly 500 tourists were brought back to Port Blair from Havelock and other places. We are in constant touch with the civil administration and keeping a watch on the situation. If the need arises, we shall use our assets for search and rescue operations. Apart from this, we shall move in if we receive any request from the A&N Administration," said M A Warsi, DIG, Coast Guard, A&N Islands.

The severe cyclonic system has moved towards the west and the Indian mainland, resulting in inclement weather along the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coasts. The seas around the Andamans archipelago are still choppy but not too rough for vessels to ply. According to officials, the weather on Monday and Tuesday had brought back memories of the days of the Tsunami in 2004 when the island chain had been badly mauled as per a TOI report.

"The situation was quite bad. The hotels were running out of supplies as they are stocked on a regular basis by ferries from Port Blair. Added to this was the weather, the high seas and power failure. It was certainly scary, particularly for women and children. However, we received all support from the administration," said a tourist.

It also turned out to be an extremely turbulent voyage for the 749-odd passengers of the M V Harsh Vardhan from Kolkata to Port Blair. 

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