India rushing relief to cyclone-hit Fiji

New Delhi: India is rushing 44 metric tonnes of relief materials including food, medicines and tents to Fiji as the cyclone-hit nation reached out for foreign help.

The relief materials are being airlifted from New Delhi and Chennai and being sent to Fiji capital Suva in an Indian Air Force aircraft C-17 Globemaster.

The relief includes basic food supplies, medicines, tents and kitchen sets, an official spokesperson said.

The relief materials are being sent in consultation with Officiating Ambassador of India in Suva.

The National Disaster Management Authority is coordinating the relief operations with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Food Processing, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence, Indian Red Cross Society and NDRF.

The island nation of Fiji was hit by category five cyclone Winston, with wind speed 325 km per hour and waves up to 12 m high. The cyclone has caused widespread damage to the housing stock and power disruption.