Ganesh, Trinath & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, May 23: Several parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands today witnessed cyclonic weather conditions, including strong wind and heavy rain due to the depression over east-central Bay of Bengal.
Several incidents of uprooting of trees, falling trees on houses have been reported from South Andaman and Middle Andaman regions. In one incident a class XI student died when a massive tree fell on his house at Chouldari village of South Andaman due to cyclonic weather.
At Baratang a old wooden barrack, in Bijan Basti, collapsed due to cyclonic weather condition and damaged two other houses which were situated very close to the barrack. No one was injured in this accident.
In North and Middle Andaman many areas witnessed several hour long power cuts due to snapping of power lines.
In Port Blair many places witnessed high wind and heavy rain enough to disrupt traffic. At Aberdeen Water Sports Complex, the many makeshift ticketing counters were toppled by the strong wind.
According to Andaman’s State Control Room, latest satellite imageries and Ocean Buoy observations indicate that yesterday’s low-pressure area which became well marked over east-central Bay of Bengal in the same evening has concentrated into a depression over east-central Bay of Bengal and lay centred at 1130 hrs IST of today, the 23rd May, 2021 near latitude 16.1°N and longitude 90.2°E, about 560 KM north north-west of Port Blair (A & N Islands)
“It is very likely to move north-north-westwards and intensity into a Cyclonic Storm by 24th May morning and further into a very Severe Cyclonic Storm during the subsequent 24 hours. It would continue to move north-northwestwards, intensity further and reach Northwest Bay of Bengal near West Bengal and north Odisha coasts by 26th May morning. It is very likely to cross north Odisha – West Bengal between Paradip and Sagar islands by the evening of 26th May as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm,” a release issued by Andaman’s Disaster Manager Department said here today.
Meanwhile, the North and Middle Andaman District is on alert following threats from Cyclone weather and several teams have been formed to face the situation.
It is learnt that with the help of the Coast Guard almost all fishermen have been brought back to shore and they have been advised not to venture into the sea for the next few days.

Port Blair, May 22 : As per IMD forecast, a Low-pressure area is very likely to form over north Andaman Sea and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around 23rd May.

It is very likely to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm by 24th May and will be named as ‘YAAS’, once it is fully formed. It is likely to move north westwards and reach near Odisha- West Bengal coasts around 26th May.

Considering the threat from Cyclone Yaas all units of Indian Coast Guard in Andaman have been placed in high alert.

As per reports, under its influence, squally winds with speeds up to 65 to 75 Kmph gusting to 85 kmph from 24th May onwards are expected over major parts of Andaman Sea and central Bay of Bengal.

Considering the threat to the fishermen community of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from the Cyclone, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in coordination with Fisheries authorities and local Police have initiated extensive pre-emptive and preventive measures in A& N to minimise the loss of life and property at sea.

“All ICG afloat, ashore and aviation units are placed on high alert and directed to maintain the highest state of preparedness to meet any contingency,” a press release issued by Indian Coast Guard said here today.

The development of weather in Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal is being closely monitored and ICG Radar Operating Centre at Port Blair is incessantly relaying weather alert messages on MMB radio at regular intervals to alert both fishing and merchant fleet.

Weather warnings through Navtex transmitting stations are being issued regularly to alert the vessels in/ transiting through area.

“Ships at anchorage have also been advised to take shelter and necessary safety measures by Port authorities. Weather advisories/ warnings are being issued through local print media and regular radio broadcasts through ‘ALL India Radio’ for safety of fishermen. Indian Coast Guard Ships and aircraft at sea are also broadcasting weather warning to fishermen operating at sea about likely formation of cyclone and directing them to return to nearest harbour for safety,” the release informed.

The Coast Guard Stations at various remote locations in A & N Region, in coordination with local fisheries authorities and village Pradhans are sensitizing the fishing community on persisting rough seas/inclement weather at sea and urging the fishermen to refrain from moving out to sea till improvement of weather.

ICG response teams in close liaison with respective local fisheries representative and village heads are accounting for details of fishing boats in harbour.

In addition, Coast Guard Disaster Relief Teams (DRTs) with inflatable boats, Lifebuoys and lifejackets are on standby for undertaking Disaster response operations. All actions and response measures are being undertaken maintaining COVID-19 protocol.

John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, May 21: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration today announced complete lockdown in South Andaman district from 24 May 2021 in view of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Addressing a press conference at Port Blair the Secretary of Andaman’s Information Publicity and Tourism Department today said that Administration and doctors are putting in best efforts but even though number of COVID-19 cases are not coming down, which should have come down by now.
“Hence Administration has taken a decision to go for a complete lockdown from Monday (24 May), which will be for a shorter period. Modalities and protocols will be decided later on and that will be communicated. We are giving two days time so that people should not rush for things. People should not overstock commodities as the lockdown is not for a very long period,” the Secretary added.
How long the lockdown will be in place that has not been decided yet, he said.
“The number of active cases has gone upto 265 once again. We have no other option left and hence we are going for a complete lockdown,” the Secretary added.
However, the Secretary clarified that the lockdown will be only in South Andaman and there will be no lockdown in Nicobar District or North and Middle Andaman District.
The Secretary IP&T added that today 270 people reached Port Blair in three flights, out of which six people have been tested positive. In Ferrargunj 105 people have been tested out of which seven people have been tested positive.
Regarding vaccination of people during lockdown, the Secretary added the modalities for movement of people for vaccination will be decided later. “The vaccination should not stop during lockdown. The details will be given later,” he added.
As per the last update available, at present altogether there are 261 COVID-19 active cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and since the beginning total 6758 people have been tested COVID-19 positive in this UT out of which 6401 people have recovered.
In first and second waves of COVID-19 altogether 96 deaths have been recorded due to COVID-19 infection in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
About vaccination drive, the Secretary informed that today altogether 380 eligible beneficiaries got vaccinated today which consisted of 99 beneficiaries of age group above 45 year old and 281 beneficiaries of age group above 18-44 year old. From today 18+ vaccination has also begun in Nicobar District, he pointed out.
The Director ANIIMS, Dr. AK Mandal informed that altogether there are 96 COVID-19 patients are in G B Pant Hospital, out of which seven are discharged. 16 new COVID patients were admitted today in G.B. Pant Hospital. 75 are on Oxygen support and 4 are on ventilator.
The Deputy Director G.B. Pant Hospital, Dr. Amitabha De today said that altogether, 10 patients were admitted at COVID Care Centers and 04 patients was discharged and the number of patients in the COVID Care Centers is 54. He further informed that 2 COVID patients were admitted and 3 patients were discharged from Covid Care Centre Wimberlygunj and a total of 07 patients are still admitted in the Centre, he added.
Responding to query regarding registration of COVID-19 vaccination process for those who miss their slot, the Deputy Director said that those who missed their slots for vaccination, they have to book their slot again; the registered slot won’t be available again.

John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, May 20:The Secretary, IP&T, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh while addressing a COVID-19 media briefing held in the conference hall of IP&T today, said that after reviewing the prevailing COVID situation in Isles, all tourism activities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands ie. National Memorial Cellular Jail, Port Blair and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island including the sound and light show at both the places, all museums, all beaches, Baratang Caves, all water sports activities and any other tourism activities in all three Districts of Andaman & Nicobar Islands shall remain suspended for another 04 weeks and it has come into effect from today (May 20).
The Secretary also sought the co-operation of general public so as to bring down the number of active cases in our Islands. He once again appealed to the general public to minimize their movement, stay at home, don’t move around, don’t endanger your life, your family members lives and the lives of others.
Informing about the RAT test conducted among passengers, the Secretary informed that 3 flights with 138 passengers arrived today (May 20) and during the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted on these passengers, 1 person was found positive. He further informed that 79 persons were tested at Ferrargunj of which 3 persons were found positive.
The Secretary has once again reiterated the need for strictly adhering to COVID-19 protocol and urged the people to follow COVID appropriate behavior for their own safety, safety of their family members and the society at large. Following COVID Appropriate Behavior in letter and spirit by every individual will help the A&N Administration to arrest the spread of corona virus and to contain the positive cases in A&N Islands, the Secretary said.
About vaccination drive, the Secretary informed that it is continuing and today 379 eligible beneficiaries were vaccinated, in South Andamans, of which 291 were of 18+ age and rest of them were above 45+ age.
The Secretary further urged the citizens to help Administration in its fight against COVID-19 by spotting persons violating COVID appropriate behaviour. The Secretary urged to click pictures of violators who are not wearing face masks, not following social distancing norms and inform through Whatspp on A&N Police Helpline 3rd Eye mobile no. 9531892228 indicating the area and time of the violation sighted so that stringent action can be taken against the violators.
The Deputy Director, G.B. Pant Hospital, Shri Amitabha De said that 15 new COVID patients were admitted today in G.B. Pant Hospital and 10 patients were discharged. With this, the number of corona positive patients in Hospital is 91. Out of the 91 patients, 75 are on Oxygen support and 3 are on ventilator.
The Deputy Director further said that altogether, 18 patients were admitted at COVID Care Centres and 1 patients was discharged and the number of patients in the COVID Care Centres is 48. He further informed that 1 covid patients was admitted and 1 patient was discharged from Covid Care Centre Wimberlygunj and a total of 9 patients are still admitted in the Centre, he added.
Responding to a query regarding the chances of people recovering from COVID-19 can be afflicted by black fungus – or mucormycosis – disease, the Deputy Director said orders to procure medicines to treat mucormycosis has been placed and we will receive it very soon. As of now, no cases of mucormycosis has been reported in A&N Islands.