Fiji: Cyclonic Storms (Pacific Region) - Jan 1985
- Estado
- Pasado
- Países
- Fiji
- + 1
- Tipos de desastres
- Ciclón tropical
Various reports, including information received from the UNDRO/UNDP resident coordinator (Fiji), inform of serious damage arising from cyclone Eric, having been inflicted on Viti Levu (Fiji). Two further cyclones (Nigel, Odette), heading in the general direction, were taken by cyclone Eric. (UN DHA, 18 Jan 1985)
Eric is out of Fiji areas but hit Tongatapu and Eva islands in Tonga on the 18th and 19th of January. The damage in Tonga is not extensive. Nigel, which is stronger than Eric and still intensifying, is expected to strike Fiji at 1800 hrs on 19 January and is following precisely the same path as Eric. Fiji Meteorological Service stated that Eric would hit Suva. Odette was last reported with winds increasing and is expected off vila in Vanuatu at 0500 hrs, 21 January. Odette was last reported with increasing winds and is expected off Vila in Vanuatu at 0500 hrs on the 21st of January. (UN DHA, 19 Jan 1985)
The UNDRO/UNDP resident representative in Fiji said that cyclone Nigel struck north of Suva on Saturday 19 January at 1900 hrs and lasted three hours. Its strength was reported to be slightly below Eric and its destructive zone was much narrower. (UN DHA, 20 Jan 1985)
In Fiji, the UNDRO/UNDP resident representative reported that the death toll was 28, and the western division was the worst hit with damage to 5,000 to 10,000 houses, school buildings, telecommunications, and water supplies. (UN DHA, 24 Jan 1985)
In Vanuatu, more than 2,000 people were reported as homeless on the islands of Ambae, Maewo, Pentecost, Malekula, and Santo. Food crops were destroyed on all affected islands, and food shortages were expected in the short to medium term. (UN DHA, 24 Jan 1985)
The areas most seriously affected by cyclones Eric and Nigel stretch across the northern islands of Vanuatu (Espiritu Santo, Ambae, the southern part of Maewo, and the northern half of Pentecost). Only one death resulted from the cyclones and thus medical facilities were considered adequate. (UN DHA, 7 Feb 1985)