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Fiji in state of disaster as Category-four storm hits

Saturday, 20 February 2016 8:46 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 20 February 2016 9:18 AM ]

This satellite imagery released by the US Bureau of Meteorology shows the eye of the storm making landfall in Fiji.

A state of natural disaster has been issued for Fiji as a powerful tropical super-storm is making landfall in the Pacific island nation.

According to reports, the Category-four Cyclone Winston was 320 kilometers east-north-east of the Fijian capital, Suva, at 5:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, and is now heading westward.

“The potential for devastation is high and there is a very real risk that people will lose their lives,” said Neville Koop of the Na Draki Weather Service in Suva.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama also warned in a national address that the nation was “facing an ordeal of the most grievous kind.”

According to the Fiji meteorological office, the storm is expected to hit the main island Viti Levu later in the day with average winds of 220 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 315 kilometers per hour.

Authorities said some 758 evacuation centers across Fiji had been activated in preparation for Cyclone Winston, the largest ever storm to hit the country.

“We are prepared to face a very strong cyclone and are urging people all over the country to be prepared as well,” said National Disaster Management Director Akapusi Tuifagalele, adding that the agency’s officers were being stationed in different regions for assistance.

Fiji’s international fights have also been cancelled due to Winston, which has been circling the South Pacific since last week.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it was ready to assist Fiji’s management office if needed.

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