Devastation wrought on Fiji by cyclone

PHOTO: New Zealand Airforce/Facebook
PHOTO: New Zealand Airforce/Facebook

The Royal New Zealand Airforce has captured images of the devastation wrought on Fiji by category five Cyclone Winston – the strongest cyclone to ever make landfall in the Southern Hemisphere.

The cyclone, which hit the Fijian islands on Saturday evening, killed 10 people with others missing. There are also fears devastation may be worse in the outlying islands of Fiji after winds reached up to 296kmh during the peak of the storm causing houses and other buildings to be demolished.

The arduous task of cleanup has now begun.

The below photos were taken by the New Zealand Airforce Orion over Koro, Lau, Taveuni and Rabi and parts of the Eastern and Northern Division.

PHOTO: New Zealand Airforce/ Facebook
PHOTO: New Zealand Airforce/ Facebook

 

Meanwhile Fiji is beginning to start the cleanup. Nadi International Airport reopened on Monday after being closed for two days. Schools, however, will be closed in Fiji for one week, the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management said.

PHOTO: New Zealand Airforce/ Facebook
PHOTO: New Zealand Airforce/ Facebook

 

According to the Fiji Times, Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama declared a state of emergency that will be in effect for 30 days.

Both New Zealand and Australia have pledged to help Fiji.

 

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