Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Cyclone Harold heads for Fiji after devastating Vanuatu

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.jpg
Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama in a telecast warning his people to stay under shelter
There are already reports of damage as the now-Category Four Cyclone Harold tracks towards large population areas in Fiji.

Vanuatu recovery could take months

Communications are still down in Vanuatu but, according to Lisa Faerua of Oxfam, recovery in the Pacific island nation could take up to 12 months.

In Fiji winds of 175 kilometres an hour are wreaking havoc with reports of roofs being blown off buildings, roads blocked by fallen trees and swollen waterways.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama, the prime minister of Fiji, has warned people that flying debris can be deadly and they should stay indoors unless directed to evacuate.

People have also been warned to stay off the roads on Fiji’s main island Viti Levu.

Amid coronavirus outbreak

All this while the country tries to contain its outbreak of coronavirus. There are 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the capital and cruise port of Suva is in lockdown.