Tsunami hits SBI branches in Nicobar

Three branches of the State Bank of India's in Nicobar Island have been severely damaged due to the Tsunami disaster, which struck the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar on December 26.

SBI has over 30 branches in the union territory of A&N out of which three were flooded, damaging premises and computer systems, Bank's chairman A K Purwar said.

Employees working in branches on Island are safe, but contact with one of the damaged branch has not been possible, Purwar said. A technology team was being dispatched from Kolkata to restore systems at branches hit by flooding due to Tsunami, he said.

Tsunami: Waves of destruction

None of the employees would be removed from Island as they would be involved in banking operations, Purwar said.

Asked about the special assistance package for victims of Tsunami disaster in various parts of country, Purwar said bank could reschedule loans, grant fresh loans to needy and also formulate special assistance package.

SBI group, including associate banks would contribute about Rs 10 crore (Rs 100 million) to the Prime Minister's relief fund as a way of assistance to disaster-hit areas, he added.