Thursday, December 30 2004 14:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Centre today (Dec 30, 2004) warned coastal-area States and Islands against another tsunami in the Indian Ocean and asked them to keep continuous vigil.

Observing that it was making an assessment of information available from various sources, the Home Ministry issued an alert message to Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar islands.

The message said that Army, Navy, Air Force and Coastguard have been advised to be on alert and provide all necessary help to the concerned State authorities.

"Their services may be requisitioned wherever required," it said.

It said that the State Governments and Union Territories (UT) administration should be cautious and that the authorities should put the administrative machinery on alert and keep continuous vigil on any development in the sea.

Arrangements may also be tied up for evacuation of people, if required, it said maintaining that shoreline of upto two km into the mainland may be made non-accessible to the general public.

How you can help Tsunami Victims

To coordinate emergency measures, Home Minister Shivraj Patil held a meeting with top officials.

The Home Ministry also put paramilitary forces in the coastal states on alert and asked them to coordinate and provide necessary help to State Governments and UTs.

Maintaining that a number of experts outside the country were suggesting that another tsunami might hit Indian Ocean this afternoon in the event of an earthquake, which could hit the Australian region, the message said the Ministry was making an assessment of information available from various quarters.

The Home Ministry has also alerted various ministries and departments at the central level besides the coastal States.