ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Auckland: As Cyclone Tomas gradually weakened and passed Fiji's southernmost island last night the military government declared a state of disaster in the entire country.
Earlier it also issued strict orders of complying with the curfew in the interests of the safety of the people, a military government communique said.
The curfew will remain in place until early Wednesday although it was lifted in the western region yesterday. The Nadi international airport opened on Tuesday but domestic services and shipping remained suspended.
The breakdown of power supply and telecommunications has made damage assessment difficult, "It is evident that wherever Tomas has struck, the damage has been overwhelming," head of the military regime Frank Bainimarama said in a statement.
Over 17,000 people are reported to have taken shelter in evacuation centres mostly in school buildings as the cyclone unleashed its fury.
But Viti Levu, the most populous and main island has apparently been spared the worst of the devastation unlike its north eastern sister island Vanua Levu from where reports of extensive damage are coming in.
However, so far there are no reports of further casualties after the only confirmed death of a woman who drowned in rough seas off Vanua Levu.
Some 75 houses had been reported damaged in the norther region but the number is expected to rise sharply.
The New Zealand government announced last night that it was on standby to any aid to the cyclone affected. Private and community initiatives for relief provision are also now under way in Auckland.
Auckland: As Cyclone Tomas gradually weakened and passed Fiji's southernmost island last night the military government declared a state of disaster in the entire country. Earlier it also issued strict orders of complying with the curfew in the interests of the safety of the people, a military...
Auckland: As Cyclone Tomas gradually weakened and passed Fiji's southernmost island last night the military government declared a state of disaster in the entire country.
Earlier it also issued strict orders of complying with the curfew in the interests of the safety of the people, a military government communique said.
The curfew will remain in place until early Wednesday although it was lifted in the western region yesterday. The Nadi international airport opened on Tuesday but domestic services and shipping remained suspended.
The breakdown of power supply and telecommunications has made damage assessment difficult, "It is evident that wherever Tomas has struck, the damage has been overwhelming," head of the military regime Frank Bainimarama said in a statement.
Over 17,000 people are reported to have taken shelter in evacuation centres mostly in school buildings as the cyclone unleashed its fury.
But Viti Levu, the most populous and main island has apparently been spared the worst of the devastation unlike its north eastern sister island Vanua Levu from where reports of extensive damage are coming in.
However, so far there are no reports of further casualties after the only confirmed death of a woman who drowned in rough seas off Vanua Levu.
Some 75 houses had been reported damaged in the norther region but the number is expected to rise sharply.
The New Zealand government announced last night that it was on standby to any aid to the cyclone affected. Private and community initiatives for relief provision are also now under way in Auckland.
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