SUVA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Many parts in Fiji still have no power after tropical cyclone Harold hit the island nation on Wednesday, and the state-owned Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) said on Saturday that they are hoping to fully restore power supply by next Thursday.
EFL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hasmukh Patel said on Saturday that it will take time for them to check and repair the power supply system.
It is not a simple process to turn on a switch as comprehensive inspection is needed to find faults before any restoration can take place, he said, adding that "We have around 10 thousand kilometers of overhead power network which we need to inspect, carry out the necessary repairs and then after re-energize and restore power in the respective areas."
They have released tentative restoration times for areas around the country still without power due to fallen power poles, fallen power lines and damage to other power infrastructure, and these timelines are tentative and subject to change due to the weather condition, access to affected areas and the extent of damage to the power network, he added.
He said that while their teams are working around the clock, they also have to ensure all COVID-19 preventative measures are maintained in addition to working within the containment area in the capital city of Suva.
The assessments were being carried out on its power lines on Fiji's main islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Ovalau which took a battering during Cyclone Harold on Wednesday.
Currently, 90 percent of areas in Suva have power supply restored and areas still affected can expect progressive restoration by Sunday.
Tropical cyclone Harold caused widespread flooding and damage across the island nation on Wednesday. More than 20 people were injured and one man died during the storm.
Fiji's National Disaster Management Office confirmed in its initial assessment on Saturday that a total of 783 homes have been damaged across the nation.
For the South Pacific island nations like Fiji, the tropical cyclone season extends between Nov. 1 and April 30 each year and the peak period for cyclone is usually from January to March. During this season, Fiji has been hit by several tropical cyclones.
In 2016, tropical cyclone Winston, the most intense tropical cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere on record, battered Fiji, killing 44 people.
