Over 800 tourists stranded in Andaman due to heavy rains, Navy launches rescue ops

The Indian Navy swung into action as it launched a major rescue operation to evacuate almost 800 tourists stranded at Havelock Island in Andaman due to heavy rains.

The civil administration had telephonically requested for assistance in evacuating the stranded tourists.

"There is a deep depression (in the sea) about 310 kms from Port Blair. That is why the Navy was contacted as we don't want to take any chances," an official from Directorate of Disaster Management, A&N administration said.

The official said that because of heavy rains and winds, the difficulty tourists are facing is to reach the jetty to board the ships.

"We can't say as of now that the depression will turn into a cyclone," the official said.

They expect the evacuation to be completed by the evening, he said.

Naval ships Bitra, Bangaram, Kumbhir and LCU 38 were deployed for evacuation and will ferry tourists to Port Blair.

The heavy swell in the sea due to the massive deluge made the rescue operation slightly difficult, yet the operation was carried out giving highest priority to the safety of the tourists.

Navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma said the ships were in the area and that there was a bad sea state.

"HADR Indian Navy swings into action to evacuate 800 stranded tourists at Havelock Island. Four ships sailed at Port Blair and in area," the Navy spokesperson tweeted.