Tropical Cyclone Tomas

Tropical Cyclone Tomas has been downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone.

Yesterday an RNZAF C-130 Hercules transported further emergency supplies to Labasa (including a Red Cross truck) and then conducted reconnaissance flights over northern Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Rabi.

Reconnaissance flights by Australian and New Zealand C130s indicate that the North and North Eastern areas sustained the most damage from Cyclone Tomas and that the level of damage reduced as it moved further south.

The RNZAF C-130 will deliver Ministry of Health, UNICEF and Red Cross supplies to Labasa this morning before returning to Nausori.

The Fiji National Disaster Management Office reports that a majority of the people who evacuated ahead of Cyclone Tomas have now returned home.

Communication has been restored with the exception of some parts of the Northern and Eastern districts due to the fact that the Fiji Telecom tower on Taveuni has been seriously damaged.

All schools have resumed classes with the exception of the six schools in the Eastern Division still being used as evacuation centres.

Tropical Cyclone Ului

Tropical Cyclone Ului remains a category 3 cyclone.

No casualties or injuries have been reported by any of the Solomon Island provinces, although Ului is likely to have caused flooding, crop losses and some building damage.

There has been no request for international assistance but New Zealand stands ready to assist if required.