Virgin, Jetstar and Fiji Airways have either suspended or brought forward flights between Australia and Fiji as the category-5 tropical cyclone Winston descends on the island, bringing with it winds approaching 300km/h.
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An elderly man of Navaga in Koro Island was the first victim of severe Tropical Cyclone Winston after a roof fell on him.
So far, the government has reported only one fatality, in Nabasovi, on Koro Island. Police are investigating reports of two more deaths on the main island of Viti Levu.
Save the Children Fiji chief Iris Low-McKenzie told AFP news agency that it was too early to assess the impact on remote islands, although unconfirmed reports said thousands of homes had been destroyed.
“…I am especially concerned that some people in urban areas of the country in particular do not appear to have heeded the warnings about the seriousness of the threat we all face”. While the extent of damage is yet to be fully understood, we are aware that there has been significant damage to infrastructure, including electricity and communications. The capital of Fiji, Suva, was not directly impacted by the core of the storm. “The noise was frightening as roofs were blown off homes and trees were ripped out by their roots”.
It issued a list of 758 evacuation centers across the nation of just under 900,000 people.
“It is being described as one of the most powerful in recorded history…as a nation, we are facing an ordeal of the most grievous kind”, he said in a national address late Saturday. He urged people to stay indoors.
“The eastern division has felt the brunt of the cyclone”, he said.
Many houses have been badly damaged in Rakiraki, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Savusavu, Lau, Taveuni and Nausori.
“It’s pretty calm now but when I look around all I can see is trees on the road”.
“Tropical Cyclone Winston has begun its assault on Fiji”.
“We can not afford to be complacent”, Bainimarama said.
The Nadi weather service reported near midnight local time that the eye of the cyclone was slowing down and moving away from Fiji and would be reduced to storm winds in the next few hours, according to senior forecaster Amit Singh, the Fiji Times reports. Families may have lost their homes and crops therefore leaving them without shelter, food and a livelihood.
The category five storm – the highest level – is expected to move westwards over the main island overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning.
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Monday’s flights are under review and the airline says affected travellers can change their travel dates or destination without incurring fees or receive a full travel credit.
