Tourists stranded in Fiji as cyclone strikes
An AAP report says that tourists in the popular Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups in Fiji have been stranded by tropical cyclone Gene, which killed two men when it hit the Pacific nation last night.
Gene, a category two storm, formed just north of Fiji’s second largest island Vanua Levu yesterday.
Overnight the storm strengthened from category one and struck the main tourist centre of Nadi about midnight (1am NZT), causing flash flooding and flattening homes.
Two electricity workers were killed when hit by falling power lines near Lautoka, north of Nadi.
The storm then tracked west and buffeted tourist resorts in the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups, as well as Vatulele Island, where there is a luxury resort.
Today those islands were warned to brace for gusts of up to 140km/h.
Abi Puisasa from the Beachcomber Island Resort, in the Mamanuca Islands, said guests were unable to leave because rough seas made a trip to Fiji’s largest island Viti Levu dangerous.
She said guests at the hotel were kept in a special dormitory last night to ensure they were safe as Cyclone Gene struck the region.
Alex Butta, who manages the Bekana Garden Island Resort off Viti Levu’s west coast, said while tree branches were broken there was no damage to his hotel and no flooding on the island.
“It has been a long night.” “I think flights have been delayed.” “We can’t risk taking people across the seas.”
“We have a big room that we can put everyone in together and hopefully just sit there and drink kava all night if it gets worse,” he said.
Lily Millar from the Nanuya Island Resort in the Yasawa group said while her guests were unable to leave because of the high seas, there was little damage to her hotel, which was in a sheltered area.
AAP was unable to contact other hotels in the Yasawa or Vatulele island groups.
Cyclone forecaster with the Fiji Meteorological Service, Alipate Waqaicelua, said Gene was this morning lying about 130km west of Nadi and was expected to move out to sea.
As it moves over the water will probably to become a category three storm, before continuing on a path that could see it hit Vanuatu’s main island of Efate in about two days, he said.
Will Fine, from Fiji’s National Disaster Management office, said it was too early to know much damage Gene had caused.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade last night warned travellers to contact airlines to check flights to and from Nadi because of the cyclone.
A Report by The Mole from AAP
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