At least 2 people died in flash flooding brought by heavy rain from Tropical Cyclone “Tino” in Fiji.
Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) said that 2 people died after they were swept away by flood water in Nuku, Serua on 17 January 2020.
Heavy rain and strong winds of over 80 km/h damaged buildings and downed trees. Flights, power and water supply were disrupted. Fiji Roads Authority said that, as of 18 January, 15 roads were closed across the country, including 7 in Northern Division, 6 in Central Division and 2 in Western Division.
As of 18 January there were 3,115 evacuees took shelter in 78 evacuation centres in Central, Eastern and Northern Division, according to NDMO. Some schools were closed as a precaution., mostly in Northern Division.
Director of NDMO, Vasiti Soko, said that a lot of people were well prepared, with emergency responders working tirelessly in monitoring the situation.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has assured Fijians affected by Tropical Cyclone Tino that they will be assisted.
“My thoughts are with Fijians in our Northern and Eastern Division who have borne the brunt of the Tropical Cyclone Tino throughout this week. Our disaster authorities are on the ground in impacted communities working overtime to reopen access to flooded regions and restore critical services to affected Fijians,” the Prime Minister added.
NDMO Teams have been dispatched to carry out full damage assessments.
TC Tino has since moved away from the country towards Tonga. Fiji Meteorological Services said on 19 January:
“Tropical Cyclone Tino Category 2 (985hpa) was analysed to the far southeast of Fiji at 12pm today and moving further away.
“Tino entered Fiji waters on Friday (17/01) afternoon as a category 1 cyclone and crossed Udu Point in the evening of the same day before becoming category 2. Tino maintained a southeastward movement exiting Fiji waters around Saturday (18/01) morning while still a category 2 cyclone. At this point, TC Tino poses no more threat to Fiji.”
Tonga
Cyclone Tino headed towards Tonga as a Category 3 storm and was predicted to hit Tongatapu but changed direction as it neared the Tongan waters, and instead veered off closer to Ha’apai.
Tino caused wind damage on the islands of Ha’apai and Vava’u. However, in a statement of 19 January, the Tonga government said there had been no injuries or causalities. Storm surge caused some coastal flooding in Ha’apai.
The cyclone has been downgraded to category 2 and is moving towards New Zealand.
Social Media
BRIEFLY ON #TCTino as of 7pm (17/01/20)
2⃣ people missing after they were swept away by flood water in Nuku, Serua.
1⃣8⃣ evacuation centres still active with 3⃣9⃣2⃣ evacuees.— Fiji National Disaster Management Office (@FijiNDMO) January 18, 2020
#TCTino Media Release 04 pic.twitter.com/gPjkqlD4lL
— Fiji National Disaster Management Office (@FijiNDMO) January 18, 2020
#FRAupdate As per this afternoon, the Vunaniu flats along Queens Road is underwater. Motorists, and members of the public are advised to take necessary precautions and to take this notice into account when finalizing travel plans.#Fiji #FijiNews pic.twitter.com/bOGKmn8NH8
— Fiji Roads Authority (@FijiRoads) January 16, 2020
