North Emergency Response Team having difficulties reaching villages

The Emergency Response Team in the North is currently facing difficulties in going out to villages as they are currently experiencing heavy rain and strong winds.

Divisional planning officer Alipate Bola said they are still trying to go for a field survey.

Bola added evacuation centers in Cakaudrove had a major increase in people coming in as there are over 3,000 people in 45 evacuation centres.

In Coboi in Bua, Ravindra Prasad and his family were lucky to escape death as their house was blown away and they are currently residing at his brother’s house.

In Seaqaqa, district officer Akuila Logaivau said there has been no power since last night, root crops were badly damaged and four houses were destroyed by the strong winds last night.

Meanwhile, on Kia Island, the National Fire Authority has confirmed that four houses had their roof tops blown away due to strong winds experienced last night.

51 evacuation centers have been activated around the country.

National Disaster Management Office Director Manasa Tagicakibau said in the Northern Division 45 evacuation centers have opened and are accommodating 3,700 people while in the Western Division 10 evacuation centers have been activated since this morning.

Tagicakibau said more evacuation centers are likely to open up with more to move into them as a hurricane warning is now issued for the western part of Viti Levu.


Story by: Aliki Bia