Storm winds damage food crops in Vatoa

Food crops were damaged at the far flung island of Vatoa in the Lau Group where staple root crops like dalo and tavioka (cassava) are scarce.

The damage has been the major concern of villagers.

Village spokesman Jone Bola said apart from some old corrugated roofing iron blown off by the strong wind, bread fruit trees in the village fell and food crops damaged.

He said whatever was left in the farms from Tropical Cyclone Sarai were damaged by TC Tino.

“We’re hoping to get our food supplies soon, we’re still waiting for the TC Sarai

food rations help,” he said.

In Natokalau Village in Cicia, Lau, former school teacher IIiesa Koto said despite warnings, there was no damage to the island and only tree branches and leaves were strewn.

He urged the weather forecasters to give islanders the right information about the path of the cyclone.

“The weather warning was totally different from what we were experiencing on the island,” he said.

At Motokana Village in Ono-i-lau, Josefa Nadavo said they felt the strong wind but there was no major disruption.

Maloku District School teacher, Suliasi Dranivesi, said even though Moala was warned, they did not feel the strong wind and there was no damage.

Moce island Post Master, Richard Naidu, said there was strong wind and heavy rain but nothing destroyed.

He said TC Sarai was stronger than TC

Tino.

At Udu, Totoya, Lau the assistant headman, Taipisi Tukai, said there was no damage.

He said only their farms were affected by

TC Sarai.

“We could not feel TC Tino,” he said.

Head teacher of Tovu Village School in Totoya, Lau, Josua Kalokalodromu, said there was no damage and thardly felt any strong wind.