8 Jan 2004

Samoa's Savaii island fared better than Upolu in Cyclone Heta

5:49 pm on 8 January 2004

Samoa's National Disaster Committee says the island of Savaii suffered less damage than Upolu, following Cyclone Heta.

Samoa's National Disaster Committee vice chairman, Va'asitia, Poloma Komiti, says roads in Savai'i were relatively unaffected except for a section by Fagasa village, which had been buried under sand.

Mr Komiti says the island's hospitals in Sataua and Tuisivi suffered structual damages to their roofs, and one ward.

He estimates that 80 percent of crop trees of bananas and breadfruit on both Savaii and Upolu islands had been wiped out.

Mr Komiti says people are now busy cleaning up the mess and assessing damages.