Cyclone Tomas: thousands evacuated from path of storm in Fiji
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Pastor Dale Morgan
Mar 15, 2010, 1:39:35 AM3/15/10
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Perilous Times and Climate Change
Cyclone Tomas: thousands evacuated from path of storm in Fiji
Thousands of people have taken shelter in evacuation centres as wind and rain generated by Cyclone Tomas batter Fiji.
Published: 4:06AM GMT 15 Mar 2010
The storm was classified as a category-four cyclone - the second most destructive on a five-point scale - with winds averaging up to 109 miles an hour, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) said.
The cyclone was expected to intensify in the next 48 hours, with average wind speeds rising significantly.
An estimated five thousand people have fled their homes to take refuge in 90 hurricane-proof buildings in the northern part of Fiji's second-largest island Vanua Levu.
Pajiliai Dobui, Fiji Disaster Management Office director, said the storm was the most powerful the country had seen for several years.
The head official in the northern region, Inia Seruiratu, said weather conditions had worsened dramatically during the day.
"You can see trees swaying and likewise the electrical wires and cables that are running between the poles," he told state radio, adding that conditions would be worse in other areas.
Officials said communications had been lost with smaller islands closer to the eye of the cyclone.
There were reports of damage to homes, other buildings and crops, and Vanua Levu was without power.
The Fiji Times reported that at least one person had died since the cyclone hit the Pacific nation.
The paper said that a woman had sacrificed her life to save her sisters and two children when huge waves swept them from the beach into sea.
Tamarisi Tabua, 31, was with her sisters Mereula and Alanieta Evans, nephew Mesake, 10, and niece Fulori, 4, when waves swept them into Namilamila Bay in Ucunivatu, Cakaudrove on Vanua Levu, on Saturday.
Ms Evans, a former national netballer on holiday here from England, said they would have died if it had not been for her sister's swift actions.
On its present track, the eye of Cyclone Tomas was expected to pass to the east of Vanua Levu and the largest island Viti Levu, although many smaller islands would be close to its path.
Fiji's main centres were put under curfew overnight on Sunday. This was lifted during the day, except in the northern region, but was set to be reimposed nationwide on Monday night.
Schools were closed and most public services suspended throughout the country..
Mariners were also warned to stay out of the ocean with waves of up to 24 feet predicted.
Cyclone Tomas: thousands evacuated from path of storm in Fiji
Thousands of people have taken shelter in evacuation centres as wind and rain generated by Cyclone Tomas batter Fiji.
Published: 4:06AM GMT 15 Mar 2010
The storm was classified as a category-four cyclone - the second most destructive on a five-point scale - with winds averaging up to 109 miles an hour, the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) said.
The cyclone was expected to intensify in the next 48 hours, with average wind speeds rising significantly.
An estimated five thousand people have fled their homes to take refuge in 90 hurricane-proof buildings in the northern part of Fiji's second-largest island Vanua Levu.
Pajiliai Dobui, Fiji Disaster Management Office director, said the storm was the most powerful the country had seen for several years.
The head official in the northern region, Inia Seruiratu, said weather conditions had worsened dramatically during the day.
"You can see trees swaying and likewise the electrical wires and cables that are running between the poles," he told state radio, adding that conditions would be worse in other areas.
Officials said communications had been lost with smaller islands closer to the eye of the cyclone.
There were reports of damage to homes, other buildings and crops, and Vanua Levu was without power.
The Fiji Times reported that at least one person had died since the cyclone hit the Pacific nation.
The paper said that a woman had sacrificed her life to save her sisters and two children when huge waves swept them from the beach into sea.
Tamarisi Tabua, 31, was with her sisters Mereula and Alanieta Evans, nephew Mesake, 10, and niece Fulori, 4, when waves swept them into Namilamila Bay in Ucunivatu, Cakaudrove on Vanua Levu, on Saturday.
Ms Evans, a former national netballer on holiday here from England, said they would have died if it had not been for her sister's swift actions.
On its present track, the eye of Cyclone Tomas was expected to pass to the east of Vanua Levu and the largest island Viti Levu, although many smaller islands would be close to its path.
Fiji's main centres were put under curfew overnight on Sunday. This was lifted during the day, except in the northern region, but was set to be reimposed nationwide on Monday night.
Schools were closed and most public services suspended throughout the country..
Mariners were also warned to stay out of the ocean with waves of up to 24 feet predicted.
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