Power restoration improves on CNMI's Saipan from October's Yutu

9:15 am on 6 December 2018

Up to 63 percent of power has now been restored on Saipan, more than a month after Typhoon Yutu hit the Northern Marianas.

A utility crew works hard on restoring power lines on Saipan

A utility crew works hard on restoring power lines on Saipan Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, or CUC, says it's now focusing on fixing primary lines and restoring water wells.

CUC says water production is now at 82 percent on Saipan while the neighbouring island of Tinian is at full capacity.

However, Tinian's power supply still remains at only 20 percent.

Meanwhile, temporary evacuation centres on Saipan have been closed with shelterees transferred to a new long-term facility on the east of the island.

Earlier, the government reported that from nearly 1100 shelterees during the storm, the island's shelter population is down to just 360.

The transfer of shelterees from schools that were being used as shelters was necessary with the Public School System reopening in some areas.

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