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The permanent secretaries of Fiji’s government ministries are being briefed by the country’s disaster management agency on the extent of damage caused by Cyclone Mick, currently on its way out of Fiji waters.
The permanent secretaries are meeting with Disaster Management Office (DISMAC) acting director Pajiliai Dobui and other senior DISMAC officials.
Cyclone Mick has caused extensive flooding in the flood-prone Rewa and Navua delta areas, along with areas in the Western Division, including Nadi and Ba.
Reports are still sketchy on the number of people in evacuation centres in the western and central divisions and in the outer islands.
Homes have been left roofless and in some cases destroyed while roads and bridges are under water and closed to traffic.
A 22-year-old Tavua farmer is in hospital after the roof of his house collapsed on him.
The death toll from the cyclone remains at two, while the search continues for two Lautoka fishermen reported missing at sea after they left Vomo Island to head back to Lautoka yesterday.
Police said the two called the boat owner on his mobile phone reporting strong winds and rough seas and have not been heard from since.
Infrastructure damage, although major, appears to be limited to mostly the usual flood-prone spots on Viti Levu and the Yasawas, Mamanucas, Kadavu and the Lau group.
Parts of the main Queens highway on Viti Levu are closed to traffic at the Yarawa flats and Korovisilou on the coral coast and at Korovou while the Nayavu Bridge is also under water.
Parts of the King highway are also closed.
A team from the Ministry of Works will be out today to assess the extent of damage to roads.
Meanwhile, the capital Suva is deserted and without water and electricity. Only a handful of shops were seen open this morning. Nearby surburbs are without either water or electricity.
Fiji Electricity Authority chief executive officer Hasmukh Patel was in a meeting and said he would comment later on the extent of power outage nationwide.
The Ministry of Works was not available to comment on the restoration of water supply.
