ICG activates communication network after tsunami warning

Mandapam, Feb 20 (UNI) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) station at Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil- Nadu had activated its defence assets, communication network, after a Tsunami warning issued by the Indian Government and later withdrawn.

A senior Intelligence Officer told 'UNI' on condition of anonymity that Japan's Meteorological Agency had issued a tsunami warning, following a powerful quake off Western Indonesia this afternoon. The under-sea quake measuring 7.5 on the richter scale, struck at 1508 hrs, some 312 kms West-Southwest of the North Sumatra Capital Medan, triggering panic in the region.

He said ICG had received the warning from its headquarters at around 1500 hrs today, after which the ICG had activated its hovercrafts, ships and patrol vessels, besides communication systems.

The personnel at the Mandapam camp were kept on alert to meet any eventuality. The ICG had also kept ready its medical facilities.

However, within few minutes the Indian Government withdrew its warning, he added.

It may be recalled, a massive under-sea quake measuring nine on the richter scale struck off Sumatra's Coast in 2004, triggering a Tsunami that killed around 230,000 people in a dozen countries, mostly in Indonesia.

India was among the worst hit countries in the tragedy that killed thousands of people, besides damaging properties worth several crores.

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