Pacific

Estimates of cyclone damage leap in Fiji

11:47 am on 29 March 2010

Ongoing estimates of the cost of damage in Fiji from Cyclone Tomas have leapt in the past two days following the latest assessment of damage.

Fiji Live says the latest estimates put damage to education infrastructure in the eastern division at more than US$200,000

That takes estimates of the cost of damage to the country overall to nearly US$18 million.

Crop and livestock damage in Macuata is now estimated at just over $1.5 million.

Fiji's National Disaster Management Office said the initial phase of preliminary and initial damage assessment had been completed and a detail damage assessment was also on the verge of completion.