Mum heads to cyclone zone

NATASHA MARTIN/The Timaru Herald

UNCERTAIN FATE: Asenaca Vakalala hopes to fly to cyclone-torn Fiji today to be with her daughter and grandchild.

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Timaru woman Asenaca Vakalala doesn't know what to expect if she manages to fly into Fiji this afternoon.

Mrs Vakalala had not expected to fly into the aftermath of a cyclone when she booked tickets last week to holiday with her daughter and granddaughter, who live in Kinoya, eight kilometres east of Suva on the main island of Viti Levu.

The area was yesterday experiencing strong winds, heavy rain and huge seas in the wake of Cyclone Tomas, which hit the eastern corner of Vanua Levu, located east of the main island.

Mrs Vakalala's daughter is a schoolteacher at Kinoya, home to 300 villagers.

"I'm worried because the cyclone will affect the whole of the Suva area, especially the villages that rely on crops," Mrs Vakalala said.

Villagers were battening down their homes in preparation for the cyclone after emergency services were placed on full alert, she said.

"They were told not to go outside and not to visit neighbours.

"I talked to them on the phone, they were stuck in the house and too frightened to come out."

The 58-year-old caregiver had originally planned to spend two weeks in Fiji but now wasn't sure how long she would remain there to assist with the cleanup.

Mrs Vakalala said she would be offering financial support to several families.

"The poor people haven't got money to buy rice and flour.

"They are reliant on crops."

Fiji had been hit by many cyclones and the Fijian people were resilient, she said.

"The one in 1972 was really bad. It killed people and animals and there were no food or crops."

The community gave what they had to assist others who had been devastated by the cyclone's effects, she said.

Meanwhile, NZPA reported that the Government is urging New Zealanders in Fiji to register with the High Commission in Suva.

Prime Minister John Key said yesterday about 450 were registered, but there were likely to be others who had not.

"The advice to New Zealanders is that they should register and follow instructions issued by local authorities," he said at his post-Cabinet press conference.

"Cyclone Tomas has increased to a category four storm with destructive hurricane force winds."

The cyclone has already claimed its first victim – a woman swept out to sea on Friday. Mr Key said a tropical cyclone warning was in place for the entire Fiji island group. Nadi Airport was open, but all international flights, including some by Air New Zealand, were delayed or cancelled.

"Despite its intensity, latest reports say it has slightly weakened in the last six to 12 hours," he said. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is continuing to monitor both cyclones and their impact.

"We will be assessing our response based on what develops and that assessment will be made in conjunction with our partners in the Pacific."

Mr Key said anyone travelling to the affected areas should closely watch the Government's safe travel website.

Tomas battered the Lau and Lomaiviti island groups off Fiji's northern coast yesterday, causing flooding and pounding seas.

- © Fairfax NZ News