18 Feb 2010

Business in Tonga's capital now up and running after Cyclone Rene havoc

5:04 pm on 18 February 2010

The Chamber of Commerce in Tonga say businesses in the capital, Nuku'lofa have now reopened following Cyclone Rene.

The Chamber says power and water was restored to most of the central business district yesterday afternoon.

Its president says electricity is expected to be restored throughout the town today.

But Paula Taumoepeau says power in the outer villages on the main island of Tongatapu may take a few more days to restore

"The feeder line, the higher voltage lines was pretty much ok. Its the little feeder lines and a lot of trees broke, and the lines so there's actually quite a lot of reconnection to do. But the main focus was the CBD, and that's done now."

Paula Taumoepeau says the recovery from the cyclone has been well-organised, and the capital is virtually back to normal.