West Bengal CM plans to airlift 600 Bengalis from Andamans
Due to adverse weather condition, the four ships deployed by the Navy could not make berths during the day.
Kolkata: Following chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s instructions, state chief secretary and home secretary are constantly in touch with the administration in Andaman and Nicobar Islands planning rescue and return of the 600 Bengali tourists who have been stranded in Havelock Islands in the Andamans due to heavy rain. Expressing concern for the stranded tourists, the Mamata Banerjee government has urged the Central government to arrange a special flight for the tourists and send adequate food and medicine to them.
“The CM has asked officials to remain in touch with the Andaman officials to persuade them to make necessary arrangements to rescue the stranded. We are also making all arrangements to rescue the tourists and if the situation demands then a team of government officials or state ministers will visit Andaman Islands to monitor the rescue operation,” said state disaster management minister, Javed Khan. Reports say over 1400 tourists are stranded in Havelock and Neil Islands due to heavy rain caused by a deep depression.
State tourism minister Gautam Deb said about 600 Bengali tourists have been stranded in Havelock and Neil Islands. “So far we have learnt all the tourists are safe in Havelock Islands and are currently in their hotels. The Navy has deployed four ships to rescue them. However, due to adverse weather condition these ships could not make berths during the day. Attempts to rescue the tourists will be made again once the weather improves,” Mr Deb said.
Stranded in Havelock Islands, Dolna Biswas said, “It is raining heavily here since last night and we are safe in our hotel. The hotel has made arrangements for the food and water which will last for two days. We are unable to contact our family due to poor mobile network. We are scared and want to leave once the weather improves.”