, April 9 -- The Government has released $5 million (US$2.5 million) from the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDMO) Contingency Fund to support immediate relief efforts post Tropical Cyclone Vaianu.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, in an address to the nation Wednesday, said the funding would be used to support urgent response measures while full damage assessments are conducted over the next 48 hours.

He said further assistance would be determined once assessments are completed and reports consolidated.

The Prime Minister confirmed that 46 evacuation centres have been activated nationwide, as severe flooding continues to affect Nadi, Lautoka and parts of the Central Division.

Schools and non‑essential civil servants ha...