SPECIAL SITREP-VIII
1600  HOURS, 29-12-2004

No.32-5/2004-NDM-I
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs

Subject:   Impact of Earthquake in Indonesia , A &N Islands and other coastal States –Relief, Rehabilitation and other follow up measures  

The first meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted for monitoring relief and rehabilitation measures was chaired by the Prime Minister on 28^th December 2004 .   The Prime Minister  desired that an integrated action plan for Andaman and Nicobar Islands be prepared and district-wise plans for the affected districts in the mainland States be finalised. It was also desired that action be taken to ensure that there was no spread of epidemics in the affected areas.  The need for proper briefing of media was emphasized so that all the  information reaches  the public.  An assistance of Rs. 100 crore for Sri Lanka and Rs.5 crore for Maldives was announced. The financial institutions have been directed to provide soft loan for recovery and rehabilitation in the affected areas.  It was stressed that all the relief requirements for Andaman and Nicobar should be met on top priority.   Aftershocks are continuing in A & N Islands .  Three aftershocks were experienced at 0710 hours  ( 5.7 Mw), 0721 hours ( 6.1 Mw) and 0744 hours ( 5.4 Mw)  

The massive relief and rescue operations mounted by the Government of India in association with the States/UTs are continuing round the clock.  The priority is still on relief supplies and evacuation in Nicobar Islands and rehabilitation in the affected States/UTs. The MOD(INCP/IDS) were advised to further step up airlifting and airdropping of relief material to the Nicobar Group of Islands.  

An Ex-gratia of Rs.1.00 lakh has been announced to the next of the kin of the deceased from the PM National Relief Fund, in addition to the assistance available from the National Contingency Relief Fund. The National fund has been  augmented  by Rs. 500.00 crore. The Cabinet has also decided to donate one month salary to the PM National Relief Fund. The Prime Minister has appealed to the people donate generously to the PM National Relief Fund and also requested the Government employees to contribute at least a day’s salary.  

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary  reviewed the relief and rehabilitation measures on 28^th Dec. 04 with the Secretaries of the concerned  Ministries/Departments and Chiefs of the Armed Forces. The NCMC desired that Jetties and Port facilities should be repaired and made functional on priority basis in Port Blair and Car Nicobar.  BSNL was advised to establish/restore communication links in Nicobar Islands expeditiously.  The NCMC also desired that the Ministry of Civil Aviation should ensure evacuation of all stranded tourists from Port Blair by 29^th December 2004     

The States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh and UTs of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Pondicherry . are the worst affected. As per reports received so far the total death toll has already touched  4500 and is likely further go up once the bodies are retrieved from Nicobar Islands . About 4000 people including fishermen are reported to be  missing.  It is hoped that the fishermen who were in the high seas at the time Tsunami may be safe  

The other  State Governments were also  requested to provide support in this hour of grief to the victims of the Tsunami. The States of Karnataka (Rs.5.00 crore) Maharashtra (Rs. 5.00 crore ), Gujarat (Rs.7.00 crore)  and NCT of Delhi(Rs.2.00) have announced the cash relief to the affected States/UTs. Other Ministries/Government Departments/PSUs have also offered assistance in terms of relief materials, cash assistance which is being worked out.  

Relief and rescue operations by the Armed Forces and Central Para Military Forces are continuing in the  affected States. Two Coys. of Central Reserve Police  Force and one platoon of BSF are airlifted to A&N Islands for relief for assisting Andaman Administration  in cremation/burial of dead bodies.  The relief supplies (12MT) from the States of Karnataka, Orissa and Gujarat airlifted for Car Nicobar on 28.12.2004. The balance of 60 MT could not be airlifting and is now planned for 29.12.2004. The relief materials (104 MT) is planned to be airlifting from Karnataka, Orissa, West Bengal , Gujarat and NCT of Delhi for Car Nicobar on 29.12.2004. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs, the nodal Ministry for  coordinating relief and response, is functioning round the clock and is in constant touch with all the affected States/UTs as well as the concerned Ministries/Departments and Armed Forces. The Control Room is providing assistance through its helpline to the public in and outside the country about the situation in affected areas  round the clock. One senior officer (Joint Secretary) from MHA  is camping at Car Nicobar to coordinate the relief and rescue operations there. Two DIGs of CISF have been stationed at Chennai and Kolkotta to liaise movement and transportation of relief supplies A&N Islands  

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Andaman islands

Shipping:  There was damage to harbour and Jetty in both civil and naval Port facilities.  One harbour at Port Blair is now fully functioning and is receiving ships.  About 60% capacity will be made functional in next two/three days.  Two earthquakes design experts have been stationed at Port Blair for advice.  Reconstruction of  Harbour/Jetty will be undertaken on their advice.  They will also advise Navy and Coast Guard.   

Civil Aviation:  The  airport  at Port Blair was damaged and developed cracks.  It has been repaired.  Indian Airlines and Jet Airways flights have  arranged to take out the stranded passengers.  953 persons in 8 flights were transported on 27-12-2004 and 1400 more passengers  in 12 flights on 28-12-2004 .  More flights are planned for 29-12-2004 for the remaining passengers.  The passengers holding Indian Airlines tickets are also being permitted to travel by Jet Airways. Ministry of Civil Aviation has been requested to provide one more Pawan Hans Helicopter  to A& N Administration for relief and rescue  operations.  

Telecom:   The telephone facilities were temporarily disrupted.  The landlines and satellite phones have been repaired and restored and are now functioning almost normally.  However, there is heavy traffic and connectivity is still not very favourable.  

Relief and Rescue:  Port Blair was affected to a much lesser extent.  No major  relief and rescue operations were required. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was requested  to make arrangements for sending more supplies of  HSD, POL, K.oil and Aviation fuel.  

Nicobar Islands :   

Shipping:  All small harbours and jetties were  damaged and presently it is not possible to park any vessels.  It will take some time to restore the facilities.  An assessment is being made.  Pending this, the supplies are being airlifted.   

Civil Aviation:  There was damage to Air Force base and the airstrip in Car Nicobar.  The airport has now been made functional for Air Force flights.  It is taking both An-32 and IL-76 flights.  The link has also been established on the small airstrip at Campbell Bay and the Dornier aircraft is operating.  MOD has pressed into service 3 IL-76 and 5 AN-32 aircrafts specifically for relief operations to Car Nicobar.  They have also been advised to step up air operations.  

Telecommunications: The telecommunications are totally disrupted.  The telephone lines and equipments have been completely washed away.  MHA has dispatched 8 satellite phones with two operators.  The link has been established at Car Nicobar and 6 satellite Phones have been made available to the Deputy Commissioner, Car Nicobar for  installing in the other Islands .  BSNL is also deputing 6 teams of 18 people along with the equipments to establish point to point communication in these Group of Islands.   

Rescue and Relief:  Car Nicobar has been worst hit.  Being the flat island, it was totally inundated.  Armed Forces have evacuated 500 people to Chennai.  Another 500 are being evacuated.  3 Naval ships arrived on 27-12-2004 .  2 Coast Guard ships with relief material and medical team reached Camp Bell Bay on 28-12-2004 .  MHA have provided 35 MT relief material on 28-12-2004 (AN).  One Specialist Team of CISF of 40 persons who are also Medical First Responders has already been deployed in Car Nicobar on 27-12-2004 .  Another Specialist Team of 40 persons also trained as Medical First Respondent of ITBP has already been airlifted on 28-12-2004In addition, 3 AN 32 load (12 MT) are being airlifted from Bangalore , Ahmedabad and Delhi to Carnic on 29^th December,2004 . One IL 76 load(20 MT) of relief material is also being lifted from Kolkatta for Carnic on 29^th December,2004 .  One Platoon of BSF has been airlifted for assisting the A & N Administration in cremation/burial dead bodies 

There has been extensive damage to Nicobar Islands . The worst affected areas  are Car Nicobar and Great Nicobar islands. The total population of the affected Islands ( Car Nicobar, Kamorta, Katchal, Teresa, Chowra and Great Nicobar)  is  about 60,000.  

As per latest reports, 124  human lives have   been lost. The causalities are likely to go up.   About 4000 persons are reported to be missing in the Nicobar Islands . About 1221 persons are staying in the 5 relief camps in Kamorta and Katchal islands.  

Ministry of Health has deputed a five-member team consisting of physicians and public health experts, on 27^th December 2004 , to A& N Islands for emergency medical relief. The Team has carried emergency medical stores.  The Coast Guards has sent 4 doctors to Chowra.   

One naval ship and one Coast Guard Ship left for Hut Bay .  Two Donier Aircraft dropped food and water at Hut Bay and Camp Bell Bay .  Ship each from Kolkatta is planned for movement on 29^th December, 2004 .  

Andhra Pradesh:  

The entire coast measuring 985 Km. was affected by the Tsunamis. The tidal waves penetrated upto 2 Kms. into the main land and the height of the tidal waves was upto 5 meters. About 300 villages have been badly affected. 

The death toll in the State is reported to be 104.  About 30 persons are reported missing.  

 The State Government had taken relief, rescue and evacuation measures. State Government evacuated about 9,000 persons to the safer places and provided food packets. Medical Teams have been deputed in the affected villages.  

Four Coast Guard Ships and  five Naval ships helped the local administration in search and rescue in the affected areas.  

Kerala  

The Tsunami also affected 2 districts of Kerala on the south-west coast. The coast length affected was 250 Kms. with penetration of tidal waves between 1-2 Kms. The height of the tidal waves was 3-5 meters which affected about 400 fisherman hamlets/villages.  

167 persons have lost their lives.  The Navy had sent their diving team to assist in the  rescue operations. People reported  stranded have mostly been evacuated by the State Government with the assistance from diving team of Navy.  

One Coast Guard ship Dornier and two helicopters were deployed for search and rescue.            

Tamil Nadu  

The State Government undertook relief and rescue operations and alerted the people to move to safer places.   The death toll in the State has gone upto 6100.  

Two Chetak helicopters and 2 Dornier Aircraft were deployed for search and rescue.  

A   three member Team headed by Consultant in Medicine had reached Chennai and is coordinating with 15 member team constituted from CGHS Chennai for providing medical relief.  

The State Government  has deployed municipal staff for cremation/burial of dead bodies. Army is assisting the local authorities in this work. State Government was advised to deploy Civil Defence Volunteers. 400 personnel from CRPF were also deployed for relief work. State Government had constituted  Teams to find out the missing people.  Coast Guard have deployed two Chetak helicopters at Chennai for search and rescue.  

Pondicherry  

Pondicherry and Karaikal region were inundated due to Tsunami.  25 Kms. of coast length was affected with penetration into the main land between 300 mtrs. to 3 Kms. The tidal waves with the height of 10 Mtrs affected about 25 villages.  

People living in low lying areas were evacuated to safer places and essential commodities including readymade meals provided. In Karaikal, a bridge along with Arasalar river was damaged and the communication on the southern part of Kariakal region is affected. The PWD has launched repair of the bridge.   

Police and fire services were pressed into service. 478 people  have  lost their lives.  

A   three member high level Central health Team headed by Deputy Director General  (Medical) was deployed  JIPMER Pondicherry is deployed.

The Government of Maharasthra has been requested to provide 20 MT relief material to Pondicherry as requested by UT admn. As requested by the Pondicherry Administrartion one IL 76 load (20Mts) of relief material planned to be airlifted from Mumbai on 28.12.2004 could not materialize.  Now it is planned for airlifting on 29.12.2004.    

Sri Lanka  

Four Ships sailed to Colombo (two each Ex Cochin and Chennai) carrying medical stores and relief material. Six MI-17 moved to Colombo on 27^th December, 2004 for search and rescue and relief mission.  

20 MT of relief materials  being airlifted on 29^th December 2004 ex Bangalore to Colombo .  

Maldives .  

 Air despatch of 7.5 MT food packets was arranged on 27.12.04 and 20 MTs which was to be airlifted on  28.12.2004 is now planned for 29.12.04.

Two AVROS landed at Male with food and water are retained there for further assistance to drop relief material collected locally.  Three naval ships carrying medicines, medical teams, water , syntax tanks etc, have moved from Mumbai to Male with two helicopters and relief stores.   

Indian Coast Guard Dornier transported  a medical team, 1000 Kg of food provisions and medicines from Male to Kadhdaou Islands about 139 mile from Male on 27^th December,2004. On return, the Aircraft evacuated two casualties  to Male.    

(S.K. Swami)
Director (NDM.I)
Tel: 23092698/Fax 23093750
Mobile: 9811061089
Email: skswami@hub.nic.in