21 Jan 2013

Samoa government calls off Evan state of emergency

6:41 am on 21 January 2013

The State of Emergency declared in Samoa following tropical cyclone Evan has expired.

Cyclone Evan hit the country more than a month ago causing extensive damage.

A government statement says the confirmed final death toll as a result of Evan stands at 4, with 10 people still missing.

The search for the 10 has been called off, however investigations are still continuing.

The Community Welfare and Internal Displaced Sub-Committee says over 2-thousand families in 164 villages have been given relief supplies including food and non-food items.

Meanwhile, the Electric Power Corporation is continuing with its repair work to fix power lines.

And the Samoa Water Authority report almost all of its customers in rural and urban Upolu are online.

It says water carting services are now mostly concentrated in rural areas, especially areas that are not connected to its systems.

The Land Transport Authority is now focusing on the restoration and rehabilitation of all roads damaged due to the cyclone and flooding, including clearing of debris from the drain systems.