Cyclone kills at least five in Fiji

FIJI – Tropical Cyclone Josie has caused severe flooding in parts of Fiji, with four people reported dead and one missing.

Fiji police retrieved four bodies over the weekend but a 19-year-old youth who was washed away in the floods is still missing.

The category one cyclone is moving southeast, away from Fiji, but heavy rain and flooding was still affecting the country yesterday.

The Fiji National Disaster Management Office sai water levels were slowly receding, and roads were starting to reopen.

Clean-up efforts are NOW underway in the worst affected areas.

The Fiji government said all schools in the Ba, Rakiraki, Tavua, and Nadi areas would be closed for two days while officials carry out full damage assessments.

FBC News says that according to the National Disaster Management Office more than 1000 people have gone to evacuation centres.

Meanwhile, all 134 passengers of the MV Spirit of Altruism have been safely transferred to Natovi overnight.

The ship hit a reef amid engine problems and went aground just past Levuka during the storm.

The owner of the ship confirmed that a salvaging operation was underway.

Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has led a team of officials to the areas that were worst hit by Cyclone Josie.

The group travelled to parts of Ba and Rakiraki that were affected by torrential rain and flooding.

Bainimarama spoke with locals and commended the communities for their resilience and bravery as many had lost their homes, belongings and some even their loved ones.

He reassured Fijians living in this affected areas that they will be able to access funds from the Fiji National Provident Fund.

The cyclone has been moving away from the main islands, now affecting mainly the Lau group with gale force winds.

- PNC sources