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Cyclone Yasa Leaves Extensive Damage but Few Casualties, Aid Agencies Say

Reuters

   Hurricane-force winds and torrential rain have destroyed scores of
   houses and flattened crops in Fiji's northern regions, aid agencies
   said Friday, though early assessments suggest minimal casualties.

   Cyclone Yasa, a Category 5 storm, made landfall over Bua province on
   the northern island of Vanua Levu on Thursday evening, bringing heavy
   rain, widespread flooding and winds of up to 285 kph (177 mph) across
   the archipelago.

   Fiji declared a state of natural disaster Thursday, ordered its entire
   population of nearly 1 million people to seek shelter and implemented a
   nightly curfew.