THE unavailability of water and temporary shelters are major reasons why evacuation centres for Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston remain active.

As of April 4, 12 centres were still active in the eastern division whereby there were five on Vanuabalavu with 63 evacuees, six centres in Ovalau had a population of 95, while Batiki’s Naigani Village only had a centre open housing 30 people.

The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in a report said the water source for Naigani village had been destroyed by Severe TC Winston and the water cartage conducted by the vessel MV Solander was unsuccessful because of the distance from land.

It was revealed that MV Solander could not anchor inshore.

As for Ovalau, the report said the emergency operation centre on the island requested 170 tents to accommodate the affected villagers.

While 57 tents were airlifted last Thursday, the rest were to be brought to the island on Friday.

The NDMO explained there were quite different scenarios in terms of accommodation for the affected households on Vanuabalavu in Lau.

While some scenarios do fall in the definition of an evacuation centre whereby six people are sheltered at an alternative building because of damage sustained by their homes, NDMO said it was also noted that some use the same building only for sleeping while they have their meals separately.

Some, according to the report, eat together but sleep at the tents they’ve been given while some have their women and children sleep at their church and returning to tend to their own homes during the day.