Adverse situation in Yemen, says CM Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Thursday said the situation in the war-hit country was not conducive for speedy evacuation of stranded Indians, including Keralites, as almost all airports there were closed.

"Practically all airports there are closed. The airport at Aden is the only one operating for three hours a day," he told reporters here quoting Indian embassy officials in Yemen.

Explaining the adverse situation prevailing in Yemen, he said: "Even a part of that airport is also reportedly occupied by rebels and so it is doubtful whether the evacuation process can be speeded up."

The current plan was to bring back the stranded persons through sea route and for that Centre has informed state that more ships would be sent to Yemen, Chandy said.

However, indicating hitch in that process also, he said as per reports it was not easy to travel from the places where the stranded people reside to the three sea ports in Yemen.

Majority of Keralites were residing over 500 km away from the sea ports and to provide security for safe travel to the ports was a major issue, he said.

Asked about the number of Keralites in Yemen, Chandy said though state did not have any specific number, an estimate is that half of the more than 4,000 Indians are from Kerala.

Chandy also said he had written three letters so far to the Prime Minister seeking urgent steps for the evacuation of Indians from Yemen.