21 schools confirmed damaged in eastern division

Twenty-one schools have been confirmed damaged in the Eastern division after Hurricane Tomas.

DISMAC said these schools remain closed while those in other areas have been given the all clear to commence classes.

In the Northern division only Savusavu Secondary School recorded damages to its walkway and guttering.

Currently teams from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Works are on the ground assessing the damages.

According to the report, Taveuni and Cikobia, communication is ongoing and the number of schools reported to be damaged is expected to increase.

It said currently there have been no reports to DISMAC of damaged school premises on Taveuni   Bucalevu Secondary and Holy Cross, including Rabi High School.

Dismac also reports that more than 300 houses are reported damaged in the eastern division and numbers are expected to increase as teams are currently touring the Lau group and the eastern parts of Vanua Levu.

The report notes that 20 houses are damaged in Nairai, 30 in Gau, 3 in Batiki, 15 in Cicia, and 246 in Vanuabalavu.

DISMAC also reveals that according to the figures they expect the northern Lau group to be the worst hit.

DISMAC Teams are currently on naval vessels in the Lomaiviti and Lau groups while another team has arrived in the eastern areas of Vanua Levu to assess the damage.  

Other islands that have yet to confirm their numbers include Yacata, Taveuni, Cikobia, the central Lau group and southern Lau.

Meanwhile, the all clear has been given to shipping services and inter island vessels have started operating.