Severe Cyclone Daman spares Fiji’s largest islands by Steph Ball
Officials breathed a sigh of relief early Saturday as Severe Cyclone Daman swept past Fiji’s second largest island, and more densely populated Vanua Levu. Instead it pounded the smaller islands to its north with winds gusting up to 155mph (250km/h).
Cyclone Daman intensified to a severe cyclone early Friday and was forecast to make landfall overnight across the north of Vanua Levu. Some evacuations took place in preparation for the storm which was forecast to bring serious damage from gusty winds and from flash floods, with up to 25cm (10inches) of rain forecast.
Cyclone Daman, whose path had already wavered, again altered course and instead took a side swipe at the island of Vanua Levu, hitting the smaller islands instead.
The small northerly island of Cikobia was hardest hit, its population amounting to little more than a hundred people. As the island was lashed with winds over 155mph (250km/h), homes were flattened. Radio contact with the island was lost as the storm struck, but brief contact later suggested there may have been fatalities.
As Daman brushed the Lebrasa area of northern Vanua Levu, heavy rain triggered landslides and flooded low-lying areas, while strong winds uprooted trees.
Daman is now in open water between Fiji and Tonga, with winds early Saturday reported to have weakened to 70mph (110km/h) with higher gusts. It is thought that Daman may head towards Tonga over the next two days. A tropical cyclone alert has been issued for its central and southern regions.
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