Port Blair, Dec 08: A deep depression over southeast of Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm, VARDAH and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 8th December, 2016 over southeast Bay of Bengal near Latitude 11.2°N and Longitutde 90.5°E, about 1060 km northeast of Vishakapatnam, 1150 km east- southeast of Machilipatnam, 340 km northeast of Car Nicobar and 240 km west southwest of Port Blair. The cyclone is very likely to move nearly northward for some more time and then northwestwards towards Andhra Pradesh coast during next 4 days.
The cyclone caused by depression has already hit the Islands from 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 5th December, 2016.
About 1200 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.
The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman has declared L1 Disaster vide order dated 6th December, 2016.
To evacuate the stranded tourists in Havelock/Neil Islands, Administration had requested the Defence command for assistance following which four Navy ships were sent on 07th December, 2016 to Havelock Islands to evacuate the tourist. The ships couldn’t berth alongside due to very rough sea condition.
And whereas as per the Order No. 796 dated 12.08.2005 of A&N Administration Relief Commissioner is competent to declare L2 Disaster for the following extent of damage: All Districts are affected by L1 or Loss of human lives exceeds above 20 or Loss to property exceeds Rs.10 crore, The District authority asked for assistance from Defence forces or Is declared to be large scale disaster without from GOI by A&N Administration.
In view of the adverse weather condition due to cyclone “VARDAH” and assistance sought by administration from Defence, an order to this effect had been issued by Relief Commissioner, declaring cyclone caused by depression over Southeast Bay of Bengal as ‘L2’ type Disaster.
