The devastation in the Car Nicobar islands is total, General Officer-in-Command, Southern Command, Lt Gen B S Takhar said on Saturday.

The death toll in the islands is likely to increase, Takhar, who undertook an aerial and ground survey of the tsunami-affected areas along the eastern coast, told reporters in Pune.

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"It will take at least six months for things to become normal in the island," he said. The tribals of Andaman, however, have not been affected much, he added.

Calling for a concerted effort to provide emotional, financial and psychological help to the tsunami victims, Takhar said there was complete harmony and synergy amongst nongovernmental organisations, state and central government departments and the three wings of the Indian armed forces in providing relief to the affected.

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He said within six hours of the information that tsunami had hit the country, the army was in the affected areas to carry out rescue and relief operations.

At present, 12 columns of the army were engaged in relief operations along the affected east and west coasts, Takhar said.  Help was also being provided to Sri Lanka [Images] and Maldives, he said. The island nation had asked for medicines, medical teams and bridges, he added.