Ten reported deaths so far from Tropical Cyclone Winston

There are ten reported deaths so far from Tropical Cyclone Winston.

The number of deaths is expected to rise further as many people were trapped under roofs and walls during the height of the monster cyclone late Saturday night and early Sunday.

Weather analysts say Tropical Cyclone Winston is the most powerful cyclone to hit the Southern Hemisphere.

National Disaster Management Office Director Akapusi Tuifagalele says they have confirmation of a man dying in Koro, two in Ovalau, one in Qelekuro in Tailevu and one from Ra.

He also says five people have been injured and they are from Kade Village in Koro.

All houses in Kade village have been destroyed including the church, school and community hall.

We have also received confirmation of two deaths in Dawasamu. 

Evacuation centers around the country have been activated.

The Central division has 65 evacuation centers with 1077 occupants, the Northern Division has 12 centers with 41 people, the Eastern Division has six centers with 116 people while the Western Division has one with 20 people.

The National Disaster Management Office says for the Northern and Western Division, they are still doing their rounds and an updated figure on the number of activated evacuation centers and people in them will be provided later.

Flights are scheduled to continue from today but confirmation will have to be given by Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji.

NDMO says all tourists are safe.

NDMO says the divisions are doing their initial damage assessments, which will be followed by detailed sectoral assessments to verify damage and cost on the ground.

There are also negotiations with the Australian government with a possibility of providing helicopters, ration assistance to maritime areas and assessment teams and Medical Evacuation.

FEA has started restoring power and some parts of the Central division now have power.

Looking at the situation report:

34 houses have been damaged in Tavua.

In Yanuca Village, there are reports that 17 houses have been destroyed and 2 houses have been partially damaged.

Nasaumatua village in Ovalau has five houses that have been completely destroyed and five houses are partially damaged.

7 houses were completely destroyed in Lovoni village. 17 houses were partially damaged and two roof tops were blown away.

There are no reports of any damages to dwelling houses in Southern Lau.

Other parts of Lau which include Vanuabalavu, Tuvuca, Cicia and Yasayasa Moala could not be contacted because of network problems.

The next Emergency Council meeting will be held at 10am today.