Havelock Island: Navy rescues 425 stranded tourists as Cyclone Vardah hampers operation

The massive operation to rescue thousands of tourists stranded in Andaman and Nicobar's Havelock Island and Neil Island is currently underway after whether condition in the island showed some improvement.

Port Blair: The Indian Navy on Thursday evacuated at least 425 stranded tourists from Neil and Havelock islands of Andaman and Nicobar by five naval ships, two coast guard ships and three Indian Air Force choppers.

In addition, a total of 295 tourists have also been rescued by the Indian Air Force until now and there is no report of loss of life. 

A massive operation to rescue thousands of tourists stranded in Andaman and Nicobar's islands is currently underway after whether condition in the island showed some improvement today afternoon. 

The relief work is being carried out and remaining tourist will be brought back to Port Blair by tonight.

Earlier today, around 85 tourists were rescued in three choppers of the Indian Air force in four air shuttles. The Indian Coast Guard ships also reached the Havelock Island in morning today and evacuation of stranded tourists was in progress.

Six naval ships, two of these from Coast Guard, sailed out in the morning hours from Port Blair for the rescue operations, an official said here.

Three Indian Air Force helicopters were also taking part in the evacuation process as the weather improved with the sun shining, days after around 1,400 tourists were stranded in two islands of Havelock and Neil, due to the cyclonic weather since Monday.

Located about 40 km from Port Blair, Havelock and Neil islands are the most popular tourist attractions of Andamans, and have been the worst affected after the cyclone Vardah wreak havoc.