Cyclone Mick devastation shocks Fiji

SUVA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua/GNA) -- Most areas in Fiji experienced power cuts and water supply shortages as the Cyclone Mick hit the island nation on Monday.

Squatter settlements in Suva, the capital, have been badly affected with some reported injuries as flying corrugated iron roofs and timber loosened from the damages of the heavy rain and non stop rain.

Nine evacuation centers have been activated by Tuesday.

Villagers and people in rural Fiji were shocked when the cyclone struck on Monday as most of them did not have access to radio 's and weather development news.

They had no idea when strong winds and heavy rain lashed most parts of the Pacific island nation and pelted their roofs like rocks.

The Cyclone was upgraded to category Two by the meteorology Department in Fiji on Monday afternoon which meant the winds were stronger and predicted to be capable of damaging trees and houses.

Flights into and out of Nadi International Airport have been put on hold.

Most banks in Suva and businesses around Fiji are closed because of water cuts and no power supply.

Police have moved in swiftly to seal off business centers after reports of looting at supermarkets.

A curfew was in place on Monday night until 06:00 a.m. Tuesday while police were on foot patrols in the main business areas in towns.

The Kings Road was closed off to all traffic.
Most bridges are under water and that is why access to those areas have yet to be made while the assessment and monetary costs to the devastation has yet to be calculated and finalized by the interim government.

GNA