Roads and bridges update

Most of the roads are still closed and bridges are still under water.

Power outages and power cuts have had effects on public utility services especially water supply.

Roads like Naduna, Siberia and Namoli flats are still closed and bridges including Namoli flats bridges, Taveuni North Coastal, Nakelinikoso, Vunivutu and Yarabale are also affected.   

Damages to the public utilities will only be established after the initial damage assessment team is deployed to the north.

In the western division, communication links to the western division have been cut throughout from last night and has not been reestablished as yet.

DISMAC is still trying to get contact with the west.

It is expected that this could be established soon.

For the Central and Eastern division, initially at this stage there are reports of damages to infrastructure like roads and bridges.

Most of problems emanated from power cuts.

Early reports received at the National Disaster Management Office or DISMAC in Suva show infrastructure damages to communication lines, power supply and houses and village halls in the eastern division.  

In the Lomaiviti group, road access from Nacamaki village to Tuatua village in Koro is damaged and inaccessible to all traffic due to landslides and coastal erosion.

Levuka town to Cawaci is only accessible through heavy vehicles.

Seawall damages have been experienced along Toki village, Nasinu village, Nukutocia, Vuma, Waitovu, Vatukalo and Cawaci in Ovalau.

There is a power outage in Ovalau.

A few houses have been damaged in Nabasovi village and Natokalau village hall was damaged by strong winds.

The government said Digicel is still working on the fault along Suva and Kadavu that resulted in the loss of communication.

Naqali Bridge in Naitasiri is currently underwater.

The Queens Highway is open to all traffic however the Korovou to Rakiraki portion of the Kings Highway is closed to all traffic due to flooding.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama will leave for the west later today to see the impact of Tropical Cyclone Evan.

He wants to see the infrastructure damages, visit evacuation centres and hospitals.

The government said health, sanitation and water is the priority at this stage.