Indian army, air force and navy were put on high alert Monday night in the wake of a massive earthquake off the Indonesian coast, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said.

Patil said that armed forces as also para-military forces have been asked to help authorities in coastal states and Andaman and Nicobar islands if the need arose.

The home minister has already spoken to chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry, Kerala and West Bengal.

The home minister also spoke by the phone with Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee and reviewed the preparedness of the armed forces.

He said authorities in the coastal areas have been asked to carry out evacuation in case there were indications of tsunami.

Patil said the control rooms at the center as also at state levels will be working throughout the night.

He asked the people in not to panic.

Every earthquake does not lead to a tsunami but a tsunami can be caused because of an earthquake, Patil said adding that so far there have been no reports of killer tidal waves reaching the Indian coastline.

Seaports, airports as well as ships at sea have also been issued a warning following the earthquake.

Reports of tremors have also been received from Andaman and Nicobar islands but there has been no damage.