SUVA, Feb 1 (NNN-PIN) – One person died and five others went missing in Fiji, as tropical cyclone Ana hit the South Pacific island nation.
According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) today, a 49-year-old man drowned last Friday, while five people, including a three-year-old boy and two women, have gone missing, during severe weather, caused by the tropical cyclone, which made landfall in Fiji on Saturday.
Ana caused extensive damage to Fiji. Main rivers have surged, and villages in low-lying areas have been flooded. In some parts of Fiji, highways are closed, while power outages and landslides are reported.
Currently, a total of 10,259 people are taking shelter in 318 evacuation centres around the island nation, and the largest number of evacuees are in the northern part of Fiji, with 5,776 people in 155 centres.
According to Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), tropical cyclone Ana is moving out of Fiji, but it will still bring rain and wind to the nation.
Meanwhile, another tropical cyclone, Bina, has been downgraded today to a tropical depression TD07F, which can still bring heavy rain, damaging wind and flood to Fiji.
In Fiji, all schools remain closed today until further notice. And all civil servants are advised to return to work with the exception of those living in high-risk areas and those affected by tropical cyclone Ana.
Last Dec, tropical cyclone Yasa hit Fiji, killing four people and causing extensive damage to houses and schools, especially in the northern part of the island.
Tropical cyclone season in the South Pacific region runs between Nov and Apr every year, and Fiji was predicted to experience up to three tropical cyclones during the current season.– NNN-PIN
