French Polynesia approves funds for flood victims

5:24 pm on 22 December 2015

French Polynesia's assembly has approved US$8 million in funds to help rebuild parts of Tahiti badly damaged by floods last week.

Residents inspect the damage caused by heavy rainfall and an overflow of the Ahonu river in Mahina, Tahiti, French Polynesia. December 2015.

Residents inspect the damage caused by heavy rainfall and an overflow of the Ahonu river in Mahina, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Photo: AFP

Torrential rain in the eastern part of the island left a man dead in Papenoo, destroyed 75 homes, and badly damaged 100 more.

A government minister, Jean-Christophe Bouissou, says water supply remains an issue in the affected area and the government is working to help local mayors.

He says the money approved by the assembly today will help provide building supplies to those who need to repair or rebuild their homes.

However, he says some families will have to relocate permanently.

"So we'll probably ask some of the families not to live anymore nearby these rivers because we know that when we have very hard rain like we've been [having] last week they could have problems in the future."

Jean-Christophe Bouissou says the eight million dollars comes from the French Polynesian budget, although France has supplied a small amount.

Tahiti's east hit by deluge

Tahiti's east hit by deluge Photo: supplied