New Delhi, December 27
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has written to the heads of Indian missions in Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, seeking report on the welfare of the NRI’s and the PIO’s there.
The government has instructed the missions in these countries, hit by massive destruction caused by the tsunami tidal waves yesterday to provide all assistance which the NRIs and PIOs might need and expedite the administrative formalities at the earliest.
While a total of seven Indian Navy ships have been despatched to various countries in the region for assisting in the relief work, the Indian Air Force is also helping the Sri Lankan authorities in search and rescue operations.
Three Indian Navy vessels have been despatched for Maldives, which had seen large scale flooding following the tidal waves forcing the authorities to declare emergency.
Another four Indian Navy vessels reached the Sri Lankan shores today.
The three Indian Navy vessels for Maldives are expected to reach within the next three days.
However, a statement issued by the MEA said the damage in Indonesia was still being assessed. All embassy officials and properties in Jakarta and Medan were safe, it said.
In Medan, 5000 strong PIO community and around 500 NRIs are also reported to be safe.
Thailand has reported the death one Indian and injury to another from Phuket. Mr Omar Abdullah, who was in Thailand is reported to be safe.
The statement said all embassy officials were safe and the Consular officials had been flown to Phuket to provide assistance to the Indian nationals, who may be holidaying there.
In Malaysia too the NRIs and the PIOs and the Embassy officials and properties are safe.
According to MEA officials, the three Indian Navy vessels-INS Mysore, INS Udaygiri and INS Aditya were expected to reach Male by December 30. INS Mysore has two helicopters and others have one each.
INS Aditya is also carrying water and has a water purification plant.
Medical teams, medical supplies and relief equipment are also on-board INS Mysore.
Sri Lanka’s request for assistance in searching for the fishermen and boats missing at sea, was responded by the Navy. In addition, a Dornier aircraft landed a medical team and 800 kg of medical supplies in Colombo yesterday itself.
Of the four vessels launched for Sri Lanka, INS Sharda and INS Sutlej reached Galle and INS Sandhayak and INS Sukanya reached Trincomalee.
All vessels have helicopters and divers. Medical teams, medical supplies and relief equipments are also on-board.
