France surveys damage in cyclone hit Vanuatu

France has sent a patrol plane to Vanuatu's outer islands to survey the damage following tropical cyclone Dani.

There are indications of extensive damage to the northern island of Efate, due to bursting rivers.

Authorities in Port Vila are expected to release details on the extent of damage in the rest of Vanuatu.

A French observer on the patrol plane says residential damage in the north of Efate is limited.

Most of the houses from the other side of Efate are OK. There wasn't anything done to the houses. There wasn't any damage. The only damage was on the other side because the cyclone damage had been not from a weak depression but a wet depression.

=A9 1999 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Fri Jan 22 14:45:00 1999 ( AEDT )
AEDT = Australian Eastern Daylight Time