Storm lashes islands

SAMOA – Cyclone Gita is hitting Samoa and American Samoa with strong winds and torrential rains, and authorities are warning people to stay indoors.

The category one storm, just off the southern coast of Samoa’s two main islands, has reportedly caused flooding and landslides, and debris has made some main roads impassable.

At first light yesterday morning, the cyclone was about 42 kilometres southwest of the capital, Apia.

The Fiji Meteorological Service, responsible for cyclone warnings in the region, said Gita was likely to intensify into a category two later today.

In Samoa, the disaster management office urged people to stay indoors as winds intensified.

Similar warnings have also been issued in neighbouring American Samoa.

A number of flights have been cancelled, as have ferry services between Savai‘i and Upolu.

Cyclone Gita is bringing an extra lashing of rain to already saturated islands. Heavy rain this week caused destructive floods, which are reported to have destroyed houses and closed roads.

After passing Samoa yesterday morning, Gita was forecast to veer southeast towards Niue.

A cyclone warning has been issued for the island, with damaging winds, heavy rain and very high swells forecast.

The Fiji Meteorological Service said Gita was likely to continue to intensify, becoming category two by the time it reached Niue in the evening.

Meanwhile, the entire island of Wallis spent the night without electricity after Gita passed near the French Pacific territory on Friday.

The public broadcaster said the strong winds knocked out the island’s electricity network, and strong winds and the state of the roads were making it difficult for technicians to resolve.

The territorial government said while the storm had cleared, vigilance was still required as there were still strong winds and rough seas. The nearby island of Futuna was largely unaffected.

- RNZI