Rohit Kumar
Port Blair, 23 May 2021
The effect of cyclone Yaas is being felt by the residents of South Andaman in form of heavy rain and higher than usual wind speeds. The owners of some of the tourist boats operating in South Andaman district contacted Nicobar Times today and informed that their boats which are parked at Junglighat Jetty Area have suffered minor damages because of the inclement weather.
These boat owners informed that many of the boats because of the inclement weather drifted and collided with other boats parked nearby.
Damages to the Tourist Boat Ticket Counters at Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, Port Blair was also reported. Many of the ticket counters were seen toppled and have suffered damages.
The Tourist Boat Operators of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are already suffering since March 2020 because of COVID-19 pandemic and Cyclone Yaas seems to be bringing more trouble for them.
Nicobar Times spoke to Mohd. Shakil, an entrepreneur who owns three tourist boats and he informed us that the damages caused to the boats will have to be borne by the owners as the insurance companies will not cover that.
The tourist boat owners have also requested the DC, South Andaman to issue them with movement passes to check on their boats regularly, so that they can ensure the safety of their assets during this inclement weather due to the cyclone.