Indonesian quake triggers tsunami fears-India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

With the Indonesian quake triggering tsunami fears across the Indian Ocean nations, including India, Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shakti Sinha, on Wednesday said there is no need to panic. "Southern islands near Campbell Bay have been evacuated. There is no panic. Our medical supplies are in place, we will make sure there is no loss of life," said Sinha. "Our buildings are designed in such a way that they are earthquake resistant, we face earthquakes all the time," he added. The Union Home Ministry has asked the Chief Secretaries of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all East Coast States to issue a Coastal Alert, in view of the alert issued by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) following the earthquake of magnitude 8.5 on the richter scale in Indonesia today. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out in the sea. The Andaman Administration has moved people from Nicobar side to safer areas, as a precautionary measure. The precautionary drill has been activated. NDRF teams have been deployed and kept on standby as a precautionary measure. Six teams have moved to Chennai. In addition, six more teams have moved to Hindon airport. Airlift will be organized by the Air Force in case these teams need to be flown.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chief Secretary plays down tsunami fears