Fiji, Oct. 21 -- Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says the government is shifting its focus to recovery and damage assessments after Tropical Cyclone Wati moved away from the country, with Aitutaki bearing the full force of the storm.

Brown said clean-up operations had begun and support was being organised for affected communities, including those on the northern islands.

"My thoughts are with everyone now cleaning up their homes, properties and villages," Brown said in a statement.

He thanked Emergency Management Cook Islands, the Cook Islands Meteorological Service and Infrastructure Cook Islands for their preparedness and response, along with island administrations, Emergency Operations Centres, police, village councils, volu...