The official toll in the December 26 tsunami disaster mounted to 9,571 and the number of missing rose to 5,801, according to the status report issued by the home ministry.

The report said there was no confirmation about the status of missing people, mainly from the Nicobar group of Islands.

Meanwhile, the report said, the massive relief and rescue operation, mounted jointly by the states and the Centre, was now focused on the restoration of power and water supply.

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In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as many as 32 medical officers and 20 nurses were assisting the administration. Emergency medicines and disinfectants were being delivered on a priority basis.

The Indian Navy had converted its INS Magar into a 120-bed hospital, the report said.

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Steps to prevent outbreak of epidemic were being taken in the other affected states -- Andhra Pradesh, Kerala [Images], Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, the report said.