Penalty if you defy the warnings - Cyclone Tomas expected to be stronger than previous cyclones

[Stacey King]

Fiji Times Online Sunday, March 14, 2010

PEOPLE who defy warnings given by the National Disaster Management Office can be penalised under the Public Emergency Regulation.

NDMO acting director Pajiliai Dobui said they were advising people to take warnings seriously.

He said they would not permit those who normally take warnings lightly to "play games".

"We will use whatever we can to ensure that our instructions and directives are followed," he said.

"We will not allow gatherings as other people's lives will be put at risk," he said.

Mr Dobui said Tomas was going be stronger than previous cyclones.

He said civil servants who were part of NDMOs support agencies were advised to report to the nearest command to offer whatever services they could.

Mr Dobui Tomas could be compared to Hurricane Bebe in 1972 and Daman in 2007.

"We are warning everyone as it is likely to cover the whole of Fiji," he said.

People have been warned to store essentials with power blackouts expected.

Fiji Electricity Authority said people should not touch broken power lines.