Samoa assesses damage

SAMOA – Some parts of Samoa are still under water following Tropical Cyclone Gita as emergency services struggle to clear roads and put back power on.

Cyclone Gita wrought significant damage in both Samoa and American Samoa.

The Samoa government announced that schools will be closed for the next few days because of the flood major damage caused by Gita.

The main roads around both islands – Upolo and Savai‘i – have been inaccessible with trees down and rivers flooded.

RNZI correspondent, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said health officials have also issued warnings.

“The health advice on the national radio is giving out all the notices to the people, to make sure they boil all the water, make sure they clean up those areas where mos-quitoes can easily lay eggs because we are still on advice from the health ministry]on the dengue.”

Dengue fever has been an ongoing issue in Samoa for the last few months.

Autagavaia said it could take some months for Samoa to clean-up the destruction left by Tropical Cyclone Gita.

Talamu News reports that the Sheraton Hotel in Apia was swamped by flood waters up to the second floor. The Sheraton recently had a multi-million dollar upgrade and had been sold to a group of Chinese investors.

Updates from the Samoa Tourism Authority for Savai‘i indicate medium damage to beach fales with major issues being no electricity, phone communication and no wa-ter supply in some areas.

There have been no reports of any casualties as a result of Tropical Cyclone Gita in Samoa.