Widespread power blackouts and some damage was reported as a cyclone passed over Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu yesterday, bringing torrential rain and gale force winds.
There were no early reports of casualties as the category two Cyclone Mick swept over the country.
Close to its center the cyclone was estimated to have average winds of between 90kph and 110kph with gusts of up to 150kph, the Fiji Meteorological Service said.
The cyclone was moving southeast at 20kph and has been upgraded from Category One, the least destructive on a five point scale, after intensifying during the morning.
Tourists in the Yasawa and Mamanuca islands off the northwest of Viti Levu were reported to be safe.
Some villagers, however, had to flee their homes after their roofs were blown off, reports said.
By early evening the cyclone was centered over Viti Levu and conditions in the western part of the island were starting to improve, meteorological service director Rajendra Prasad told Radio New Zealand.
The cyclone was expected to pass over the rest of the island during the evening, he said, adding major damage was not expected.
Although many roads were closed by flooding in low-lying areas, the rainfall had also not been as bad as expected, although much of Viti Levu was without power.
Flights from Fiji’s international airport at Nadi on the west coast of Viti Levu were disrupted yesterday as the cyclone passed.
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