Cyclone Evan - Category 4

Fiji in eye of Cyclone Evan's fury

Thousands of Fijians and a handful of Kiwi tourists are hunkering down in evacuation centres as Tropical Cyclone Evan sweeps near the Pacific Island nation.

NZ Herald,

17 December, 2012

The deadly storm, which yesterday increased intensity from category 3 to 4, was forecast to lie about 115km southwest of the Yasawas Islands and 185km north-northeast of Nadi about 6.30am, the Fiji Meteorological Service said.

Average winds in the centre of the cyclone were expected to reach 185kmh, with momentary gusts of 270kmh.

Four people have been confirmed dead and up to eight are missing after the cyclone struck Samoa on Thursday.

More than 400 New Zealanders had registered with the High Commission in Fiji, acting head of mission Phillip Taula told Radio New Zealand.

"The advice to any New Zealanders currently in Fiji is to follow any instructions issued by local authorities and to keep their family in New Zealand informed of their wellbeing," he said.

"We're encouraging any New Zealanders in Fiji to register with us."

New Zealanders in Fiji were asked to check the Government's safe travel website.

The military commissioner for northern Fiji, Lieutenant Colonel Ilai Moceica, imposed a curfew from 8pm to 6am, the Fiji Times reported.

According to Fiji Live, 2534 Fijians were in 31 evacuation centres overnight, and power was out in parts of Labasa, in the northern part of the island of Vanua Levu.

That included the Labasa Corrections Facility and the local barracks.

Government facilities were using back up power arrangements.

Fiji Live said 80 military personnel and 40 police were heading to the area ahead of the cyclone, and movement would be restricted today.

The cyclone has forced the cancellation of a number of Air Pacific and Qantas flights between Apia, Nadi and Auckland today.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said New Zealanders in Fiji were advised to follow any instructions from local authorities, including any evacuation orders, and keep family in New Zealand informed.

People in travel accommodation should follow the guidance of the accommodation management and/or tour operators, he said.

A New Zealand journalist on holiday at The Hilton in Denarau, Marc Hinton, told Newstalk ZB people would be served breakfast at the hotel, but after that guests and staff were on strict instruction to take shelter and wait it out.

He said it was like the calm before the storm.

"The message has definitely gone out, the cyclone's on its way (and) will hit land here soon. So everyone's being encouraged to get provisions.

"We went through Nadi town, it was pretty much like a ghost town, everything was starting to be locked up, everything was being bolstered down that could be."

Mr Hinton said 95 per cent of the restaurants and shops in Nadi closed late yesterday afternoon.

The Fiji Government said it was working with the tourism industry to co-ordinate preparation and recovery efforts as the cyclone approaches.

"We are concerned about the capacity of this cyclone and have activated and mobilised our emergency response teams, disaster relief centers, police and military forces," Ministry of Public Enterprises, Communications, Civil Aviation & Tourism Permanent Secretary Elizabeth Powell said.

"The safety of our community and our international guests is our main concern, and we have established and stocked 300 emergency centres - should they be needed."