World

Treacherous cyclone hitting Fiji islands

by steve468 | December 7, 2007 at 09:17 am

1477 views | 0 Recommendations | 3 comments

(CNN) -- Powerful Tropical Cyclone Daman closed in on Fiji on Friday, threatening the Pacific island chain with home-destroying winds and dangerous floods.

"It's most likely going to be one of the severest cyclones to hit the country in recent times," Fiji Disaster Management Office director Joeli Rokovabe told The Associated Press. Tourist resorts -- Fiji's top industry -- are also threatened, he added.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Rob Walker

at 13:48 on December 7th, 2007

The Category Four storm passed directly over the island, which is to
the northeast of Fiji's second largest island, Vanua Levu. The cyclone
is now moving past Fiji.

Fiji's Disaster Management Office says Cikobia was extensively
damaged. It says about 70 people live on two villages on the island,
but it is not yet known whether anyone has been injured.

Hurricane-strength winds also hit the northern part of Vanua Levu.

Fiji's Meteorological Service says the worst is now over, but strong
winds will continue for some time, and parts of the country are still
getting heavy rain.