Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Dec 08: Tourist hotspot Havelock island of Andaman remained unreachable even for second day today as the depression over Andaman sea intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Vardah’.
On Thursday two passenger vessels MV Rani Lakshmi and MV Kamorta of Andaman’s Shipping Services were sent to Havelock Island to evacuate nearly 1100 tourists but both the vessels had to return back to Port Blair because of high waves in sea.
Later one cargo vessel MV Badam with supplies and medicines was also sent for Havelock Island but the vessel also returned back because of bad weather conditions.
Sources said that there were also efforts to send Coast Guard vessels to Havelock for evacuation of tourists but due to bad weather it could not happen.
Meanwhile, the local Administration has directed all the hotel and restaurant owners to help all tourists as much as possible.
While nearly 1100 tourists stranded at Havelock and nearly 400 stranded at Neil Island are unable to come to Port Blair, tourists struck in Port Blair area also complaining about poor coordination from the site of Tourism Department.
Meanwhile, in a video statement issued by Raj Niwas, the Lt. Governor of A & N Islands, Prof. Jagadish Mukhi today claimed that tourists are still enjoying at various Islands and Administration is doing its best to help them in all possible ways. “All tourists are safe, only considering the safety they could not be brought back to Port Blair,” the Lt. Governor said.
The cyclonic storm Vardah today played havoc in many remote Islands, bringing normal life in a standstill. In North and Middle Andaman region in various Islands like Diglipur, Rangat and Billyground etc. witnessed flood like situation because of very heavy rainfall.
Even movement of vehicles in Andaman Trunk Road got disrupted in various places of Middle and North Andaman due to flooding in low lying areas.
There are also reports about land sliding in some areas of Andaman Trunk Road.
The cyclone also blew away roofs of several dozen houses and damaged crops in North and Middle Andaman, causing huge losses to farmers. Snapping of power cable left many areas without power for more than two days.
The Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman Mr. Udit Prakash Rai has already told media that the Administration will release compensation to those who have suffered loss because of this weather conditions.
Considering safety Andaman and Nicobar Administration has kept helicopter and shipping services suspended. Flights of some Airlines are landing at Port Blair while many other are cancelled.
The Port Blair airport today witnessed outburst of anger of tourists and travelers when Spicejet cancel today’s flight even after boarding of passengers.
According to Andaman’s State Disaster control room, the cyclone ‘Vardah’ near Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclone by early morning of 9th December 2016.
“Very high speed winds are expected along with heavy rain. All public are advised to remain indoors on 09/12/2016,” an official caution issued by local Administration said here today.
