On hearing the news of the large scale damage and destruction caused by the tsunami, Government of Maharashtra initiated a series of activities for the rescue and relief operations in the ravaged area -- especially in the Union Territories of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Pondichery. Apart from dispatching the required relief materials to the affected areas by IAF Cargo planes in consultation with the respective governments, the Govt of Maharashtra also sent a relief team to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the midnight of 30th December 2004 from the Chhatrapati International Airport by a special Indian Airlines plane IC 1572. The relief team consisted of following members:

The various activities undertaken by the respective teams are as follows:-

I. Activities undertaken by the medical team:-

The Medical team of 12 members is headed by Dr. Gaikwad. The team reached in the Andaman and Nicobar islands on 31st December, 2004 and immediately swung into action. Thus far they have treated around 1,000 patients. The main activities of the team include:-

A. Monitoring Disinfection of Water
B. Prevention of water-borne and vapour - borne diseases
C. Beating gastro and fever cases

The team, as on today, i.e 05th January, 2005 are working in the Bishop Research Hospital in Car Nicobar Island and has been ordered by administration to shortly move to the Campbell Bay. This team will work in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands till the 10th January, 2004 and if required, will be replaced by a fresh team on 11th Janauary, 2004.

II. Activities undertaken by the BMC Search and Rescue team:-

The Search and Rescue team comprising of 19 members under the leadership of Shri V.V. Vaidya, Chief Officer, Disaster Management and under over all supervision of Shri V.N Naik, reached Car Nicobar Airport in the morning of 31st December, 2004. The team reported to the Development Commissioners of Port Blair and Car Nicobar and worked in 3 groups under the guidance of the local defense persons. They undertook the following activities:

A. Worked in an area of 45 Sq.Kms. in 35 localities.
B. Detected and disposed off 27 dead bodies.
C. Rescued a person traped under the debris in Lapati Village.
D. Provided vital information to the military that the area was still not yet attended to.

The team, after completing assigned work, returned to Mumbai on 04th January, 2005.

III. Activities undertaken by the BMC Sanitation team:-

The sanitation team of 30 members, under the overall supervision of Shri D.R Adsul, Assistant Sanitation Officer, BMC accompanied the Search and Rescue team. The dead bodies found out by the SAR team were disinfected and buried with RIP identifications. The team disinfected by fogging the entire area of 45 KM in 35 localities.

The team was visited by the Union Ministers Shri Sanjay Singh, Shri Mukul Wasnik and Shri Sunil Dutt. The visiting dignitaries appraised themselves of the activities being undertaken by the Relief team and highly praised their performance. They also provided valuable guidance to the team.

The team returned to Mumbai on 4th January, 2004 and the fresh team is ready to be sent if the request comes from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Government.

IV. Activities undertaken by the Home guards and Civil Defense team -

Under the team-leadership of Shri N.M Thakur, Deputy Controller, Civil Defense, a team of 40 Home Guard and 26 Civil Defense personnel reached Car Nicobar Island on 31st December, 2004 and the immediately started working in the Tsunami ravaged area as per the requirement of the Government.

The team was divided into 3 groups as follows:-

The main activities that the Civil Defense and Home Guard are performing include:-
A. Removal of debris.
B. Cleaning of Roads.
C. Cleaning of Drains.
D. Sanitation Activities.

The team is scheduled to be in Andman and Nicobar islands for a period of 15 days. In case the presence of Maharashtra Civil defense and Home Guards are further require, a fresh team would replace the existing team there.

V. The CISF Team

The group of 86 CISF Jawans, under the team leadership of Assistant Commandant Mr. Rajendra, is at present located at Hut Bay, near Little Andaman islands.