Cyclone makes Fiji to “disasters”-Islands

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Oceania

Cyclone makes Fiji to “disasters”-Islands

“Winston” is raging huge a swathe of destruction testifies to the cyclone of the highest category. However, the full extent of the damage on the Islands is still unclear. Now trembling, the people of new Zealand.

Red alert: Meteorological representation of the cyclone over Oceania

On the Fiji Islands in the South Pacific is a devastating cyclone hit. “Winston” swept with top speeds of up to 325 kilometres per hour over the archipelago. Thousands of residents were previously in more than 700 emergency shelters fled. The Online news service “Fijivillage” wrote of a “Monstersturm”. Dozens of homes were destroyed and a man on the island of Koro were killed when his house collapsed. There are also Floods, it said.

The authorities made no official details of the damage. Just after sunrise is likely the full extent of the clear – the country is Western Europe time, eleven hours ahead. The government explained all of the more than 300 Islands to the disaster area. This gives the authorities special powers to the business of the country to maintain.

Precautionary Curfew

“Cyclone Winston has the entire country is affected,” said the head of the authority for civil protection, Melati Bainimarama. Since Saturday evening (local time) was a curfew. The microblogging service Twitter were photos of fallen power poles and palm trees uploaded. “Fijivillage” quoted resident Elenoa Roqaranaivalu, according to their statements, at least four houses on the island were covered and masts umknickten.

This was only the prelude: Strong Wind whips up on the beach of Labasa the water on

The new Zealand Wetterbehörde placed the hurricane in the most dangerous category. “Winston is the strongest cyclone and first category 5 of the Fiji ever recorded,” wrote meteorologist Lisa Murray.

On the Fiji Islands life a little less people than in the city of Cologne: The state has about 900,000 inhabitants. It is located 3000 km East of Australia and 2000 km North of new Zealand. Tourism is one of the main sources of income. The majority of visitors come from Australia and new Zealand.

Most dangerous category: “Winston” is the first cyclone of the level 5, the ever over Fiji was measured

In new Zealand, the Red cross is on alert, and was on call for a aid. “Winston is an incredibly powerful storm,” said Secretary General Tony Paine. “Houses, infrastructure and Crops are likely to be affected. This could also be in the long term have far-reaching consequences.” Nearly a year ago had cyclone “Pam” 1000 kilometres further to the West to Vanuatu devastating damage. The Unwettersaison in the South Pacific runs from November to April. “Winston” is one of the seven strongest cyclones in the Region since more than 30 years.

jj/se (dpa, afp)