ISLANDS HIT HARD

■ Food shortage likely in Kadavu ■ Vatulele not spared by Harold as winds strike viciously ■ Seven homes, out of the 70, remain standing after Harold batters island

Fijians whose properties were damaged during the tornadoes which hit various parts of the Central Division, will be able to withdraw up to $2000 from their Fiji National Provident Fund accounts. Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum confirmed this to the Fiji Sun, yesterday.

However, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum cautioned that this is being allowed only for residents whose properties were damaged at:

■ Korovou

■ Vusuya in Nausori

■ Tailevu Notth

■ Nausori

■ Nakasi

■ Narere

It is believed that people will be asked to provide evidence of damage and sign a statutory declaration which is a legally binding document.

People have also been warned not to make false declarations in order to withdraw these funds as those caught doing this will be taken to task.

Meanwhile, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum further revealed that companies who sell white goods such as Vinod Patel and Company Limited, Tappoos and Courts within the confined areas are allowed to sell their items online and are allowed to do home deliveries. He further confirmed that pest control companies are also allowed to operate.

The head teacher of a school in Matuku says the winds brought by Tropical Cyclone Harold were so strong it uprooted the thickest and biggest tree in the village.

This was Delaiverata District School school head Eroni Waqabaca’s account who said the winds damaged 22 houses while 12 houses were completely destroyed.

“The trees were swept through the village damaging more houses,” Mr Waqabaca said.

“The storm surge broke into the village at about 5pm in on Wednesday afternoon and took down one side of the walls of the Veilomani Methodist Church in the village.”

He said the devastating and destructive winds ravaged the island for almost six hours.

“Damages were also sustained at the school block blowing off the rooftops of some classrooms and even the walkway shelter in the school.”

He said villagers were surviving of what remains of their farms anticipating any kind form of assistance they would be provided to help them recover from the ordeal.

Words: Wati Talebula A family tries to keep their hopes up as they stand in front of the remains of their home at Naqara Village, Ono, Kadavu, on April 9, 2020. Yesterday a Royal New Zealand Air Force P31 Orion was tasked to assist the National Disaster Management Office in its initial assessment. The NZ team conducted a fly over and took images over Kadavu, islands in the Southern Lau, Vatulele and the Nadi coast.

Debris inside the Veilomani Methodist Church, Makadru Village, Matuku. The church was badly destroyed.

What was left of some of the houses on Makadru Village, Matuku after Tropical Cyclone Harold.