REACHING KATCHAL

After Tsunami the postings of Medical Officers 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.

Katchal Island is situated far south from Port Blair. Ship journey is around 30 hrs from Port Blair city and Pawan Hans helicopter makes it in 1 hr 40 minutes.

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).