Fijian authorities warn people to prepare for stormDecember 17, 2012 - 14:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Fijian authorities have warned people to prepare as Cyclone Evan lashes the Pacific nation, packing very high winds, BBC News reports. Flights to and from Fiji were cancelled as the category four storm approached from the north. Thousands of people are in evacuation centers, with storm warnings in effect for the whole nation. Cyclone Evan hit Samoa last week, killing at least four people and causing widespread flooding. The latest media release from the Fiji Meteorological Service, at 16:00 local time (03:00 GMT), said the storm was 28km (17 miles) north-west of the tourist center of Nadi. Winds close to the centre were estimated at between 170-185 km/h (105-115mph), it said, with storm-force winds extending 90km from the centre. Early reports suggested that power had been lost in some areas, with reports of flooding and structural damage. "I cannot stress enough how serious this is. Every Fijian will be affected but we must take preventative steps now," leader Frank Bainimarama said. Government spokeswoman Sharon Smith-Johns said: "Members of the public are advised to prepare for the worst". Australia has offered expert personnel and supplies to both Samoa and Fiji. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |