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India evacuates tourists after cyclone
December 10, 2016, 3:12 pm

In March 2014, the Indian navy had conducted three days of search in the Andaman Sea and the islands in the area for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, but to no avail [Xinhua]

In March 2014, the Indian navy had conducted three days of search in the Andaman Sea and the islands in the area for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, but to no avail [Xinhua]


Over 1,200 tourists have been evacuated out of the Neil and Havelock Islands in India’s eastern Andaman archipelago on Friday due to dangerous weather conditions caused by cyclone Vardah.

“During the day long evacuation operation, five naval ships, two coast guard ships and three Indian air force choppers were placed in service,” India’s state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said.

“Apart from this the ships from Andaman Nicobar administration and helicopter of the Union Territory also participated in the evacuation drive.”

There were reportedly 1,400 tourists stranded on the islands after heavy rains hit on Monday.

The tourists were brought back to Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Sources say the navy had attempted the rescue operation on Wednesday, but was hampered by the bad weather.

Indian paper The Hindu cites the weather control room as saying cyclone Vardah has moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 10 kmph, situated 250 km west-northwest of Port Blair.

In March 2014, the Indian navy had conducted three days of search in the Andaman Sea and the islands in the area for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, but to no avail.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies