Port Blair, May 22: As per IMD forecast, a Low pressure area is very likely to form over north Andaman Sea and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal around 23rd May. It is very likely to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm by 24th May and will be named as ‘YAAS’, once it is fully formed. It is likely to move north-west wards and reach near Odisha- West Bengal coasts around 26th May. Under its influence, squally winds with speeds up to 65 to 75 Kmph gusting to 85 kmph from 24th May onwards are expected over major parts of Andaman Sea and central Bay of Bengal.

Port Blair, May 22: In view of unprecedented surge in the positive cases of COVID-19 in the Islands the District Magistrate South Andaman, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS has issued an order No. 682 dated 22nd May 2021 regarding Lockdown to be imposed in the entire district of South Andaman.

Accordingly Lockdown will be imposed in the entire District of South Andaman with effect from 24.05.2021.

Port Blair, May 21: During the second wave of COVID-19, many people were asked to remain on home quarantine due to different reasons but they have not been tested for COVID-19 after that. People have been alleging that their quarantine period is over but there is no one to confirm their negative report, thereby forcing them to continue in quarantine.

Moreover it has also been noticed that COVID-19 testing not available to people on demand for reasons not known to the general public. It has also been noticed that for getting tested for COVID-19 a person needs to take permission from DC.

Spike in positive case forces Administration to resort to lockdown: Secretary (IP&T)

Port Blair, May 21: The Secretary, IP&T, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh today said that a complete lockdown will be imposed by the A&N Administration in the entire South Andaman District from Monday May 24, 2021. The decision has been taken after reviewing the COVID-19 situation in A&N Islands wherein the number of positive cases has reached 274 as on date.

Despite best efforts made by the Administration and putting in all kinds of measures viz. making availability of medicines, oxygens, ventilators and the hard work by doctors, paramedical staff, field workers and other stakeholders, the COVID positive cases didn’t come down to single digit as was expected. This has compelled the A&N Administration to take a decision to go for a complete lockdown to contain the spread of the virus and to save the precious lives of the Islanders. Modalities and protocols of the lockdown will be issued in due course, said the Secretary urging the Islanders not to panic and not to overstock essential items.

Port Blair, May 21: Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, has requested the Chief Secretary to provide boat to Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep because a good number of general public are stranded at Port Blair which include Patients, Students and general public.