Port Blair, Dec.6: A severe depression over Southeast Bay of Bengal has formed causing heavy rainfall, strong wind and rough sea conditions, and is likely to continue for the next 48 hours.
The cyclone caused by depression has already hit the A&N Islands on 5th Dec 2016. The worst effected parts are Havelock and Neil Islands which are separated by approx 40 kms from Port Blair. The only means of transportation are Ship/Boat/Helicopter which have stopped operation since Dec 5, 2016.
About 1400 tourists, who had visited the Islands on previous days are now finding themselves stranded and are unable to return to Port Blair to fly back home.
Meanwhile, the local populace of 10 villages of Havelock & Neil Islands have also been affected severely by the cyclone which has hampered the movement of essential supplies.
Accordingly, the Deputy Commissioner South Andaman has declared this as L1 Disaster as the damage/spread of disaster does not exceed 10 villages or loss of human lives does not exceed 20, the value of property loss exceeds Rs.50 lakhs but not less than Rs. 10 crore.
Keeping in view the above cyclonic conditions over Havelock and Neil Islands affecting more than 1400 tourist and populace of 10 villages of the islands, the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman has declared the Cyclone caused by depression over Southeast Bay of Bengal as ‘L1’ type Disaster.
