Fiji has escaped a second major disaster in as many months, with Tropical Cyclone Zena now moving quickly away from the Pacific Island nation and towards Tonga as a weaker category two storm system.
According to the Fiji Meteorological service, the tempest passed under the souther island of Kadavu in the early hours of this morning. The United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs said there had been “little impact” on Fiji’s capital Suva, on the main island of Viti Levu.
The United Nations agency said that more than 8,000 people had sought shelter in evacuation centres, mostly in the Western Division, and that flooding was the major impact of Tropical Cyclone Zena.
“The heavy rain meant it was a miserable night for the thousands of Fijians who still remain in transitional accommodation after Tropical Cyclone Winston in February,” the Office of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said.
“The weather has now dramatically improved in most areas and flood waters are starting to subside.
“Health and hygiene concerns remain including the risk of mosquito and water-borne diseases.
“Food security is a concern with the heavy rain badly affecting the country’s vegetable growing areas and washing away replacement seeds and seedlings planted after Tropical Cyclone Winston.”
#Fiji escaped worst of TC #Zena, but recovery from #Winston now even harder.
Category 2 and heading for Tonga. pic.twitter.com/InlZ4RPAyj
— Thom Mitchell (@Thom_Mitchell) April 7, 2016
For most of Fiji, the Met Service still warns of “strong winds with average speeds of 45 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 80 kilometres per hour”.
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In the Southern Lau Group, the Met Service predicts winds of between 65 and 90 kilometres per hour and lowland coastal flooding, with rain and winds expected to ease from midday.
An overnight nation-wide curfew has now been lifted, but schools remain closed. Roads that had been closed are starting to reopen, but many have suffered some damage.
UNOCHA said that a Pacific Humanitarian Team was convened yesterday, and is on standby to respond. Another group dealing with food security issues will meet today, and plans to set about replanting seeds for the second time in two months, with many sown in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Winston having been washed away by flooding.
Tropical Cyclone Zena is moving towards Tonga at around 50 kilometres per hour, and the Tonga Meteorological Service has a storm warning in place for ‘Eua, Tongatapu and Ha’apai as the category two tempest approaches.
These islands are expected to experience damaging sea swells, heavy rain and possible flash flooding.
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