Fiji Declares State Of Emergency Following Cyclone

As Cyclone Tomas began to weaken on 16 March 2010, Fiji declared a state of emergency, and the government ordered military troops to initiate relief operations in northern regions of the country, which were hit the hardest by the storm. Emergency officials stated that the cyclone disrupted power, water, sewage and other services in northern areas of the country, and all airports had to be closed. Fiji’s military leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarara, appealed for foreign aid with relief efforts, and the government extended a nationwide curfew to the morning of 17 March. Flights into Nadi International Airport (NFFN/NAN) have resumed. So far, there have only been reports of one death caused by the cyclone, although that number could rise after communications are restored to outer islands and northern areas of Vanua Levu.