Cyclone Heta Devastates South Pacific Island of Niue

Created by doina. Last modified on 2004-01-12 10:54:37
Contributors: Pamela & Munro Bezuidenhout
Countries: American Samoa, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga

A devastating cyclone swept through Niue, last week. Wind in excess of 130 knots and seas more than 30m high, have wiped out the capital, Alofi. The hospital, hotel and many houses have been totally destroyed. A dive shop operator described that their premises and house were situated 30m above sea level and waves in excess of 30m wiped out their home and means of a living.

Help has been sent by New Zealand, France and Australia in the last few days, but doubts are arising as to whether Niue will be able to retain its independence as a tenth of the population are now homeless and many are leaving the island.

Heta also hit Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga and the Tokelau Islands and is the worst tropical storm to hit Niue in living memory.