Port Blair, Nov 27: Cyclone “LEHAR” after unleashing its full fury over A & N Islands crossed in the early morning of 25th November 2013 and is reported to be moving towards Andhra Coast. The cyclone resulted in uprooted trees, damage to houses, landslides at some places, power and telecommunication failure and flooding of some low lying areas.
After the unleashing of its fury by Cyclone “LEHAR” in Andaman, public life is slowly returning to normalcy and the situation is under control. The PRI’s and General Public had responded and cooperated whole heartedly with the Administration in tiding over the crisis created by the Cyclonic Storm.
Relief Efforts made by Administration are :- 32 Relief Shelters were made operational by the District Administration, South Andaman with the help of PRIs and other departments of the A & N Administration where 3891 persons were provided all possible relief assistance; Special Trips of Naval Ships in addition to the Directorate of Shipping’s Ships were arranged for tourists and other local residents stranded at Neil and Havelock Islands. All passengers stranded at NeiL & Havelock Islands were brought back safely by 26th November evening; Mobile Medical Teams were arranged for providing medical assistance at the Relief Shelters in Ferrargunj Tehsil.
Damage assessment teams under the chairmanship of Assistant Commissioner, South Andaman (Sub-Divisional Magistrate), Assistant Commissioner (HQ) and Tehsildar, Little Andaman including officers/officials from Agriculture, Fisheries, Veterinary Services, APWD and PRI members of the concerned area have been formed to assess the damage to the village and community infrastructure in Port Blair, Ferrargunj and Little Andaman Tehsils respectively. The Tehsildars of Port Blair and Ferargunj Tehsils have been made the Member Secretary of their respective teams
Four (4) fishermen who were reported missing from Junglighat were located at Baratang Island today morning. All the four fishermen were found safe and sound.
Out of the 32 relief shelter functioning in the South Andaman District, those shelters where there is no public presence after the passage of Cyclone have already been closed down. Most of people in the Relief Shelters had voluntarily vacated and returned to their houses. Material support from the Central Godown was disbursed to needy persons by the A & N Administration.
All the major roads in the District has been cleared for access, however, some of the link roads are still being cleared by the Fire Services, PBMC and Forest Officials.
The Electric transmission and distribution system which was severely damaged was restored by the Electricity Department. However, the damage to the main transmission line from 20 MW IPP Bambooflat to Garacharma sub-station due to falling of double pole structures is under repairs. The Electricity Department is working on a war footing for restoration of power supply.
