Tsunami: AP, WB on alert

Amidst fresh warning from the Union home ministry of another Tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday alerted the administration in coastal districts to be prepared for possible evacuation of people from vulnerable low-lying areas.

Over 100 people had died in the state when tsunamis battered its coastal areas on Sunday.

• No cause for panic, says Kapil Sibal  | Moderate quake sparks panic in Indonesia

Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy reviewed the situation and asked authorities in Visakhapatnam, Nellore, West Godavari, East Godavari, Prakasam, Krishna and Guntur to be vigilant, officials said in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal has also directed tourists and residents in coastal areas of the state to retreat from the seaside in view of the fresh warning.

• Tsunami: Toll may hit 100,000

Tourists at places like Digha, Bakkhali in the Sundarbans and Sagar Islands have been directed to leave as soon as possible, while local residents have been told to move to a safe distance from the sea, State Home Secretary Amit Kiran Deb told PTI in Kolkata.

Fishermen have also been directed not to venture into the sea, Deb said.

The local administrations in the coastal areas have also been alerted, he added.