Cyclone Ula causes minor damage in Fiji

Initial reports from Fiji's Lau group say Cyclone Ula has caused no major damage as the category three system passed through the archipelago in the past 24 hours after hitting northern Tonga on Saturday.

The Disaster Management Office says reports from Ono-i-Lau and Kabara say there were no casualties and no significant structural damage, but some corrugated iron roofs were blown away.

The Office says root crops have been damaged by the strong winds.

Many people sought shelter in safe structures at the height of the storm.

The cyclone, which is still producing average winds of 150 kilometres an hour and gusts of more than 205 kilometres an hour, has now moved about 200 kilometres past Ono-i-Lau.

Forecasters say Cyclone Ula is expected to maintain its southwesterly direction but will weaken tomorrow when it will make a sharp turn to the northeast.

     

Author: 
Radio New Zealand International