News in Brief

Tornado strike?
During Cyclone Pat, did a tornado form and cut a swathe through the main island? Some residents report their homes have completely disappeared. There are cases of homes being demolished while the house next door is unaffected. Photos of one motu shows the vegetation on its outer edges unaffected but the centre damaged as though a tornado or giant water spout cut through. A closer examination is needed of the dispersement of the debris to see if any pattern exists that fits the tornado theory.
Resorts to house the homeless?
Reports that hotels and resorts were largely undamaged by Cyclone Pat were encouraging but the question is raised as to whether government should have requisitioned hotel rooms under the Disaster legislation to temporarily house the homeless residents. It’s one thing for tourists to live in comfort while locals struggle without roofs over their heads. A government spokesperson has confirmed the idea of utilizing hotel rooms did not arise.