Tuesday, January 4 2005 16:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The official toll in the December 26 Tsunami disaster mounted to 9,571 and the number of missing rose to 5,801 even as the Government was taking all precautionary steps to prevent any outbreak of epidemic.

According to the status report issued by the Home Ministry, the toll stood at 9,571 while there was no confirmation about 5,801 missing people mainly from Nicobar group of Islands.

It said that the massive relief and rescue operation, mounted jointly by the States and the Centre, was now focussing on restoration of power and water supply besides prevention of outbreak of any epidemic.

In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as many as 32 medical officers and 20 nurses were assisting the administration there and emergency medicines and disinfectants were being delivered on priority basis. Indian Navy had converted its INS MAGAR into a 120-bed hospital.

Similar steps to prevent outbreak of epidemic were being taken from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, the report said.

Meanwhile, three 10-member teams today (Jan 4, 2005) left for tsunami-affected Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala where they would assess the damage caused by the tidal waves and the assistance required for reconstruction.

Each team would comprise members from Finance, Animal Husbandry, Surface Transport, Agriculture, Women and Child Development, Education, Rural Development and Water Resources Ministries, the sources said.

All the three teams would be headed by Secretary (Disaster Management) A K Rastogi, who would submit a report to the Government, official sources said.