MEA update in the wake of destruction caused by Tsunami waves

New Delhi
27/12/2004

The Ministry of External Affairs has written to the Heads of Indian Missions in Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia regarding the welfare of NRIs/PIOs in the wake of the destruction caused by the Tsunami/tidal waves which hit the region yesterday. The Missions have been directed to provide all assistance to NRIs/PIOs and expedite administrative formalities.

Following is an update:

In Indonesia the extent of damage is being assessed. All Embassy officials and properties in Jakarta and Medan are safe. In Medan 5000 strong PIO community and around 500 NRIs are also reported safe.

Thailand has reported one death and one injured from Phuket. Shri Omar Abdullah, who was in Thailand is reported safe. All Embassy Officials there are safe. The Embassy has flown Consular officials to Phuket to provide consular assistance to Indian nationals, who may be holidaying there.

In Malaysia the extent of damage is being ascertained, but all NRIs/PIOs and Embassy officials and properties are safe.

The Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating relief operations to Sri Lanka and Maldives with Indian defence forces and Home Ministry. The details are given below:

Assistance to Maldives (Operation Castor)

Three vessels have been launched for Male. They are INS Mysore, INS Udaygiri and INS Aditya. INS Mysore has two helicopters and others have one each. INS Aditya is carrying water and has a water purification plant. Medical teams, medical supplies and relief equipment are also on-board. INS Mysore is expected to reach on Dec 28, 2004, INS Udaygiri on Dec 29,2004 and INS Aditya on Dec 30,2004.

Assistance to Sri Lanka (Operation Rainbow)

Sri Lanka’s request for assistance in searching for fishermen and boats missing at sea was responded to by our Navy. In addition, a Dornier aircraft landed a medical team and 600kg of medical supplies in Colombo on Dec 26, 2004.

4 vessels have been launched for Sri Lanka. INS Sharda and INS Sutlej are headed towards Galle. They are expected to reach on Dec 27, 2004. Two vessels have been launched for Trincomalee and are also expected to reach on Dec 27,2004. These are INS Sandhayak and INS Sukanya. All vessels have helicopters and divers. Medical teams, medical supplies and relief equipments are also on-board.

The Air Force is also helping out with search and rescue operations.

MEA has activated a Control Room with AS(AD) as the Coordinating Officer. Similarly, the affected Missions have also opened Control Rooms. The details of the Control Rooms are as follows:

MEA /Control Room/Helpline/Embassy telephone numbers set up in New Delhi and by Indian Missions abroad

Shri Talmiz Ahmad Addl. Secretary (AD)
Ministry of External Affairs,
New Delhi
Tel.No. 011-91-11-2301 1849 (Off)
Tel.No. 011-91-11-2338 2248 (Res)
E-mail: asad@mea.gov.in & psasad@mea.gov.in

Bangkok (Thailand)
Embassy of India
Tel.No. 011-662-260 4166
Fax Nos.011-662-2584627/2621740
General Tel. Nos.00-662-2580300-05
E-mail: indiaemb@mozart.inet.co.th

Jakarta (Indonesia)
Tel.No. 011-62-21-5204153
Fax No. 011-62-21-5204160
E-mail: eoijkt@indo.net.id & ambindia@indo.net.id

Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Tel.Nos.011-94-11-2472684 & 2422788
Fax Nos.011-94-11-2446403 & 2448166
Email: hoc.Colombo@mea.gov.in

Male (Maldives)
Tel.Nos.011-960-324857 & 323015
Fax No. 011-960-324778
Mobile No. 011-960-771728
E-mail: hoc.male@mea.gov.in & Itm.male@mea.gov.in

Singapore
Tel.Nos. 011-65-9026 2594 & 9753 6565

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
Tel. No. 011-603-2095 3369
Fax No. 011-603-20933507 & 2092 5826
E-mail: highcomm@po.jaring.my & fsch@po.jaring.my