Viwa villagers assess damage

The heavy rain and strong winds have eased in Viwa village in Yasawa and villagers are assessing the damage of Cyclone Mick.

Viwa village Turaga ni Koro Pauliasi Tunisau said looking at the situation there will be no food in the village in the coming weeks as most of the root crops have been uprooted and their vegetation is badly affected.

Tunisau added they were worried about the high tide in the afternoon but the villagers have begun cleaning up the village and clearing the debris left by Cyclone Mick.

Meanwhile, earlier today, Viwa was experiencing damaging strong winds, rain and rising water levels, the full brunt of Tropical Cyclone Mick.

A number of families in the smaller islands in the Yasawa group had to flee to safety after the roofs of their homes were blown away by strong winds in the last hour.

Police Media Officer West Wame Bautolu confirmed that no reports of injuries have come in and those affected are now taking shelter in designated evacuation centers in the Yasawas.