Cyclone Ravages Fiji, two dead
Pastor Dale Morgan
Cyclone Ravages Fiji, two dead*
28 Jan 2008 09:16:03 GMT
Source: Reuters
SUVA, Jan 28 (Reuters) - A tropical cyclone with winds gusting up to 140
kpm (86 mph) hit Fiji's main island of Viti Levu on Monday, flattening
houses, causing flooding and bringing down trees and powerlines,
officials said.
Two men were killed when they were electrocuted by fallen powerlines,
police said.
Cyclone Gene, a category one storm, crossed the west coast of Viti Levu
and is forecast to intensify and move in a southeast direction overnight
towards the capital Suva, officials said.
"The cyclone is expected to intensify further, probably reaching a
category two system by late tomorrow," said Rajendra Prasad, director of
Fiji's bureau of meteorology.
Many Fijians living in coastal villages on the west side of Viti Levu,
which is also the country's main tourist centre, have moved to higher
ground, with warnings of heavy seas and swells.
Officials in the western town of Nadi warned residents not to be outside
their homes as the cyclone moves through their area.
"People should start taking precautions, preparing with torches, tin
foods and so on," said Jo Rokovada, director of the National Disaster
Centre. (Reporting by Michael Perry, editing by Katie Nguyen)