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The Armed Forces are on high alert to tackle any tsunami threat in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. A flag was raised immediately after a massive earthquake, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, was reported at 1408 hours today with epicenter at 270 nautical miles south of Campbell Bay.


The Indian Navy took immediate action in preparation for any possible tsunami that could be triggered by the high intensity earthquake. Ships in Port Blair were sailed out as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile the Eastern Naval Command is preparing ships with disaster relief teams embarked on it to provide immediate assistance to affected areas, if required. Other Naval Ships at sea in the Bay of Bengal have also been alerted.


The IAF has also kept two C-130J on standby at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad. The giant aircraft are ready to fly a swift reaction team of 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel equipped with sniffer dogs at any momentupon call. Ten tonnes of medical supplies and rescue and relief material have also been loaded on the aircraft. One IL-76 aircraft has also been kept on standby at Chandigarh which will also carry NDRF team while two AN-32s and Dorniers are on standby in the southern sector.