India Deploys Naval Vessels to Rescue Tourists From Island Under Cyclone Threat

New Delhi (Sputnik) — India is deploying naval vessels to evacuate 800 people from an island near the Malacca Straits after its meteorological department predicted a cyclonic storm in the next day or two. The local administration has requested the federal government for immediate help to relocate tourists from the Havelock island, a part of India-controlled Abdaman & Nicobar Islamds that abut to the mouth of the Malacca Straits.

​Four Indian Navy ships INS Bitra, INS Bangaram, INS Kumbhir and LCU 38 have swung into action to ferry tourists from the rain-ravaged island to the main town of Port Blair. The Skymet Weather Services has forecast heavier rainfall in the coming days and warned that it could hamper rescue operations. A local official also confirmed that the heavy sea tides, due to a massive depression in the Bay of Bengal, has made the rescue operation difficult, but tourists' safety has been given the highest priority.

​Havelock Island is the largest of the islands that comprise Ritchie's Archipelago, a chain of islands to the east of Great Andaman in the Andaman Islands. It is one of the most preferred snorkelling destinations in India.