Port Blair, Oct 07: As per information from IMD, a depression has formed over north Andaman Sea and lay centered at 0830 hrs IST on the 7th October 2014 near latitude11.50N and longitude 95.00E, about 250 km east-southeast of Long Island. It is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a deep-depression within next 24 hours and subsequently into a cyclonic storm. It would cross Andaman & Nicobar Islands close to Long Island by tomorrow forenoon. As a result warning for heavy rains and wind has been issued.
The sea is also likely to be rough to very rough. In view of the alert for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the following precautionary steps have been taken:-
1. All Control Rooms, Emergency Operation centers and Stake holders/ Nodal Officers have been informed and put on alert.
2. Do’s and Don’ts for disaster preparedness and management has been issued for publication in local daily for creating awareness.
3. All departments are undertaking steps to mobilize and keep ready all equipments and tactical resources.
4. General public have been informed through SMS burst and through cable network, AIR, DDK and other media and also provided contact numbers for emergency situation.
5. One team of NDRF battalion stationed at Port Blair had been moved by road to North & Middle Andaman (at Rangat), where the impact of the event is likely to be felt the most.
6. Traffic over the Andaman Trunk Road shall be monitored allowing only emergency traffic. Buses and other passenger traffic over the Andaman Trunk Road have been stopped.
7. Inter-island ferries have been suspended. Ferries on the foreshore sector shall operate subject to weather condition.
8. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
9. Government schools are closed on account of holiday. Private schools which are open have also been directed to close for tomorrow.
10. Situation reports from all Emergency Operation Centres are being collected on hourly basis and is being monitored.
11. People in vulnerable areas are advised to exercise caution.
