3037 in 37 centres, power outage in North

Parts of Labasa including the Labasa Corrections Facility, Sukanaivalu Barracks and the whole of Savusavu are without power as 3,037 people seek shelter in 37 evacuation centres.

Permanent secretary for information Sharon Smith-Johns said the public in Nadi, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Yasawa, Lautoka, Coral Coast, Korolevu, Beqa and Kadavu should move to safer areas or nearby evacuation centres before they face the full brunt of Cyclone Evan.

There are two evacuation centres activated in the Central Division - Vishnu Deo Primary School in Raiwaqa and Rampur College in Navua.

Evacuation centres in the Saqani district have closed and people have returned to their homes.

Northern Division residents have been experiencing power shutdowns and civil servants have also been advised to remain at home until further notice.

All evacuation centres in the Northern and Western Divisions are now ready to take in evacuees.

 

The Northern Divisional Operations Centre says five more evacuation centres have just been opened in Bua, in view of storm warning, bringing to 37 (in addition to 22 in Cakaudrove and four in Macuata) the number of evacuation centres opened in the North.

 

There are no disruptions to water supply, no reported casualties or significant damage in the North.

 

The northern centre said prison wardens are believed to have the situation under control at their North facilities, with back-up safety plans.

 

By Lavenia Vuadreu