After Tsunami the existing postings of all Medical Officers at Andmans were revised and as per the new list everyone was supposed to be posted at Nicobar group for at least 6 months on rotation. My name indeed showed up in the list and I was supposed to move in Dec 2005 to Teressa Island but I pre-poned the posting because I was curios to see the real picture of the Nicobar Islands after Tsunami. After transfer rescheduling I was ordered to take the independent charge of Katchal Island, which is now left with very few human souls.
I was made aware of the situation at the Island from fellow Medical officers previously posted there. It was learnt that basic life support requirements are compromised : Accommodation, Proper food, Communication, water and worst of all no Hospital. The present hospital was running at a Primary School (Mildera).
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| Pawan Has helicopter |
Katchal Island is situated far south from Port Blair. Katchal can be reached either by a Ship or Chopper. Ship journey is around 30 hrs from Port Blair city and Pawan Hans helicopter makes it in 1 hr 40 minutes. The Pawan Hans Helicopter service is controlled by the offical "red tapism" and getting a ticket is painful. The Helicopter started from the Port Blair Airport (June 2005), took a brief halt at Car Nicobar Airbase for refueling and eventually reached Katchal.
10 seater Helicopter:
The Journey is not that pleasant because this chopper is possibly as old as Myself. (I remember traveling couple of times in the same chopper 16 years back between Port Blair to North Andaman !)
10 seater Helicopter:
The Journey is not that pleasant because this chopper is possibly as old as Myself. (I remember traveling couple of times in the same chopper 16 years back between Port Blair to North Andaman !)
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| Halt at Car Nicobar Airbase |
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| AirStrip at Car Nicobar Airbase (2005) |
The aerial view of Katchal Island was frightening as the whole island appeared as if burnt by somebody.
A small helipad existed on Katchal Island where the Helicopter Landed. I saw the hospital ‘Jeep’ waiting with Driver Ramdasan near the Helipad.
Katchal is a protected Tribal Island and outsiders other than the Government employees posted there, are not allowed. None is allowed in the Nicobar group of Islands unless the visit is officially approved by "Red Tapism".
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| Village Kupinga - Katchal |
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| Hospital Vehicle - Tata Sumo |
Once landed, I was taken to village Mildera where a Primary School was used a make shift Primary health Centre. There was not enough space for the staff to stay, so they were all staying in Tents supplied by the Tsunami relief operation team at Katchal.
>>> MORE ABOUT MILDERA SCHOOL HOSPITAL >>>>