9 Apr 2014

Solomons disaster officials hope evacuations have plateaued

4:47 am on 9 April 2014

Disaster officials in Solomon Islands hope improving weather will mean some people start to trickle back to their homes, but say no one will be forced back to houses that are unsafe.

About 10,000 have sought shelter in 24 evacuation centres around the capital Honiara following last week's devastating floods.

The chairman of the national disaster committee, Melchior Mataki, says many of their homes are still standing and the intention is to progressively move people back to their houses where possible.

"We would only do that following a proper assessment, we won't be forcing people to leave the evacuation centres, we would look at each cases independently and make an assessment."

Melchior Mataki says then they can deal more effectively with people whose homes were completely destroyed.

Authorities estimate 52,000 people have been affected in some way, mostly on the main island of Guadalcanal.