Farquhar island hard hit by cyclone Fantala: All workers on the island safe

Farquhar island hard hit by cyclone Fantala: All workers on the island safe

19-April-2016
All buildings on the island have lost their roof or are otherwise damaged and many have been completely destroyed by fallen trees!

This is the dissolute atmosphere on Farquhar as the island was directly hit by tropical cyclone Fantala on Sunday night, with extremely strong winds reaching a record of 345km per hour!

Glenny Savy, chief executive (CEO) of the Island Development Company (IDC) which manages the island, has described the situation as “catastrophic” as he has confirmed that most of the infrastructures including the guest house, workers’ quarters and health centre have been destroyed. The good news is that all of the workers currently on the island are however safe, protected by the anti-cyclone shelter which the IDC built on the island after it had been hit by another devastating cyclone named Bondo on December 20, 2006.

The IDC had as a measure of precaution on Thursday evacuated 20 out of the 34 workers who were on the island. The 14 others were left behind to monitor the situation or are those responsible for essential services on the island. These included four soldiers manning a radar station situated there. It will now be the responsibility of those workers to undertake the first maintenance works and to clear the airport of debris, for air links to resume with the island situated at 770 kilometres to the south east of the main island of Mahé.

“Had it not been for the anti-cyclone shelter, we would have had to evacuate everybody from the island,” Mr Savy has said.

He has further explained that it will not be possible to fly to Farquhar and really evaluate the damage until Thursday. This because the danger is not yet over as the Seychelles Meteorological Services which had raised the highest alert (alert 1) while Fantala was approaching the island, has predicted that the cyclone which is now situated between Farquhar and the island of Astove may come back to 40 to 50 miles off Farquhar tomorrow evening. This climatic situation is eased by an anti-cyclone condition currently over Madagascar.

Though the IDC chief executive feels it is still too early to evaluate the damage caused by Fantala on Farquhar, he believes that this will be well above the sum of R5 million which resulted from Bondo.

In spite of the damage caused to Farquhar, other islands in the area like Astove, Assumption and Aldabra have up to now not been severely touched, even if some heavy winds are still expected there. It will however take some time to evaluate the situation on Providence which was also hit by cyclone Bondo in 2006, as there is currently no one on the island.

Though this time hit by Fantala which the region’s meteorological stations are describing as the strongest cyclone the Indian Ocean has known to date, the Seychelles islands are situated outside what is known as the tropical cyclonic belt, between zero to seven degrees of the Equator. Fortunately for us, the Seychelles’ temperatures (from about 24 to 33 degrees centigrade) are too high and thus represent unfavorable conditions for the development of cyclones.

However, the islands lying south of the archipelago normally experience heavy winds whenever there is a cyclone in the area. Other Indian Ocean islands such as Mauritius, Madagascar and Réunion are the ones most directly hit during the cyclonic season which goes from November to April, period when it is hotter in the southern hemisphere. The region records an average of nine tropical cyclones per year, though not all of them prove to be dangerous. Also, the region’s countries each year in turn provides a list of female names to be given to the cyclones. From Fantala, you would have guessed that it was Madagascar’s turn this year.

Our sister islands however seem to be safe from Fantala’s destructive force, as though described as “extremely dangerous” by the Météo France Réunion office, after may be hitting Farquhar for a second time in the coming 48 hours, the tropical cyclone is expected to change course and lose its intensity.

Source Seychelles nation

REBUILDING FARQUHAR! Set to cost SCR 20 Million Rupees, THREE times more than in 2006!! - Glenny Savy, CEO of IDC (SBC).

Pictures shown on the news were from 2006 when the island was completely flattened by the storm. No pictures were available to the media as the only available was via satellite telephone from the workers to Glenny directly.

Damage confirmed was:
- Many structures were missing roofs, windows and doors
- Some buildings crushed completely
- Many trees are uprooted
- Shops and cold store damaged
- Generator room is uncovered
- Desalination plant is uncovered
- Equipment related to the infrastructure is affected (no specifics)
- Food was saved!!
- Minimal debris at the airport..?!

Hopes we made to reach the island by Wednesday (via flight) and Sunday (by boat), weather permitting.

There were risks that the storm is due to return.

IDC are seeking help:
- SCR 20 Million from IDC funds
- Insurance (is that applicable?)
- Minister of Finance has confirmed financial support (sum
Undisclosed)
- INTERNATIONAL DONATIONS!! (Of course)

If the island is part destroyed, why is the cost 3 times more than 2006? We would welcome some photos to satisfy our curiosity Mr Savy! 😏💬

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154035411149484&set=gm.479229332286380&type=3

Fantala » a provoqué des dégâts à Farquhar, îles des Seychelles.

Victoria Seychelles | April 18, 2016, Monday @ 14:42 in En français » ACTUALITÉS NATIONALES | By: Rasin Vannier | Views: 154
« Fantala » a provoqué des dégâts à Farquhar, îles des Seychelles.
Une vue satellite de l'Atoll de Farquhar (NASA)
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(Seychelles News Agency) - L’œil du cyclone « Fantala » est passé hier soir sur l’île de Farquhar, qui se situe à plus de 700 km/h au sud de Mahé, l’île principale des Seychelles, avec des rafales de vents à plus de 300 km/h.
La 6e tempête tropicale de la saison 2015-2016 a fait de nombreux dégâts sur cette île.
« Tout a été presque détruit sur place » a dit à la SNA Glenny Savy, Directeur Général d’IDC, la compagnie qui gère les îles.
Depuis jeudi dernier IDC avait commencé à retirer de Farquhar, le personnel non essentiel sur place.
Face à l’arrivée de la tempête, IDC avait laissé seulement 15 personnes sur place.
« Cette fois-ci, les dégâts sont plus importants qu’en 2006 » a dit Savy.
C’est la deuxième fois en 10 ans que cette île est touchée par un cyclone.
En 2006 le cyclone Bondo, avec des vents de 225km/h, avait fait de nombreux dégâts, sans faire de victime.
Fantala a poursuivi sa route vers les îles de St Pierre et de Cerf plus au nord.
Il faudra plusieurs jours avant que le personnel d’IDC puisse se rendre sur place.
« Nous ne pourrons pas nous rendre sur place avant jeudi ou vendredi pour vraiment analyser la situation » a dit Savy.
D’après les prévisions météorologiques, le cyclone va commencer à perdre de son intensité ce soir.
« Nous nous attendons à ce que Fantala fasse une courbe en arrivant près de l’île de Cosmoledo et fasse demi-tour » a dit à la SNA Chantale Bijou météorologue.
Ce cyclone est atypique car il est né très tardivement dans une saison cyclonique remarquablement calme en raison de l'effet El Nino.
Les Seychelles ne sont pas situées sur la route cyclonique, mais les îles qui sont le plus au sud de l’archipel, expériences parfois de forts vents.
Farquhar est une des 115 îles de l’archipel des Seychelles, où il y a un petit établissement touristique, avec une trentaine de personnes en temps normal.
- See more at: http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/5004…

Farquhar declared disaster area following Fantala

21-April-2016


Following its devastation by tropical cyclone Fantala which hit it for a second time on Tuesday and where almost all infrastructures have been destroyed, Farquhar has been declared a disaster area.
While making the announcement yesterday afternoon, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Didier Dogley, who is also responsible for disaster management, explained that the decision taken by government will ease the release of funds locally and also from international donors in order to help the Islands Development Company (IDC) clear the island of debris and rebuild its facilities. This, after the situation will have permitted an assessment team be sent to Farquhar.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249166

Farquhar déclarée zone sinistrée après être frappée une deuxième fois par Fantala
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249165


Comment - Today Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth reaches her 90th Birthday. The mega global media scandal benchmark/practices publish today. We addressed a topic about our Black Labrador last week and the manner /mode those in that Seychelles function and work - they believe they created the sun and mother earth with the little education and knowledge they have acquired. The Earthquake in Ecuador and Japan - mankind live in an era of grave danger - not just human ability to impact climate functioning but animals yet them bloody great experts squandering the $ billions what they preach and say - .

Farquar to be hit a third time by Fantala
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249208

Fantala hits Farquhar again: Reconstruction necessarysays environment minister

27-April-2016

Reconstruction on Farquhar is necessary environment minister Didier Dogley has said after the low-lying coral island was hit three times by tropical cyclone Fantala.
After devastating the island with winds gusting up to 355 kilometres per hour on Sunday April 17, Farquhar was again hit by tropical cyclone Fantala a third time one week later on Sunday evening.
However, just as when it had come back for a second time last Tuesday, Fantala had lost its intensity and was heading towards the African mainland at about only two kilometres per hour.
The island of Aldabra however found itself on its course on Monday evening and yesterday, with no damage or casualties reported. With a considerable drop in the cyclone’s force, the Islands Development Company (IDC) which manages outer islands did not have to execute its plan to evacuate non-essential staff from the islands of Aldabra and Astove.
Having now moved towards the continent, Fantala poses no more threat to any Seychelles’ islands as Aldabra is the most eastward of the archipelago, thus the closest to Africa.
Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Didier Dogley has meanwhile stressed on the necessity to rebuild Farquhar after it has been almost completely destroyed by Fantala. Replying to concerns that millions may be invested in an island which remains vulnerable to cyclones and which may be again hit in the future, the minister has reacted that one does not run away from his or her home after being hit by a natural disaster.
“Mauritians, Malagasies, Réunionnais are hit by cyclones almost every year. Do they run away and abandon their countries as a result?” he has asked, adding that “the question is not if we have to rebuild Farquhar, but how to rebuild it.”
“We now have to build infrastructure which can withstand cyclones of 350 kilometres per hour. People have to understand that with climate change this will be the norm. We have to be resilient and adapt to climate change,” Mr Dogley explained, adding that “if we run away after a cyclone, one day there will be no one in Seychelles.”
Minister Dogley has also insisted that it is necessary to reinvest in the island as he says it is essential to invest in the whole country’s infrastructure and to maintain its integrity and security by protecting it from threats such as vandalism, robbery, piracy, terrorism and other criminal activities.
“I once went to Cosmoledo and found that a group of people from Madagascar had mounted a camp there and was exploiting sea cucumbers and sharks. We have to protect our islands from such illicit activities,” he said.
On accusations which suggest that Farquhar and the other outlying islands do not contribute much to the country’s economy, Minister Dogley has reacted by the negative and has bluntly said this is not true. He has rather argued that many Seychellois get their living from commercial activities going on there. He has stated those as tourism accommodation, fly fishing, diving, production of coconut oil and other coconut products, fishing, and production of salted fish of which most found on the local market he says comes from there.
“Many countries are fighting over territories. The fight is not only for the territory itself, but what lies around it. In our case it is what is around those islands. If we do not invest, it will be difficult to tap in those resources,” has commented Mr Dogley, adding that seismic studies have revealed that Farquhar is a potentially oil rich area.
At the same time, Minister Dogley has wished to make it clear that the IDC does not get a single cent subsidy from government as the parastatal is capable of financing itself. He asserts that government is only helping IDC to reconstruct Farquhar and is not bending itself to pressure from the company.
Instead, he is of the view that the help may pay dividend in the long term. He has in this context reminded that IDC does pay dividend to the Seychelles government annually.
IDC’s financial statements for the financial year ending March 31, 2015 has in fact revealed that after recording a profit after taxation of more than R17 million, it paid R3 million to government.
On complaints that the IDC restricts locals from landing on the islands under its control, the environment minister has replied that he believes the company enjoys good relations with the public, as he claims to have himself witnessed on Coetivy and Desroches. He has added that the IDC provides support for fishermen and private boats by helping them with water and other supplies when in need.
He has however admitted that conflicts sometimes do exist, primarily resulting from fishermen poaching on birds, birds’ eggs and sea tortoises, as well as willing to fish in the lagoon which he adds has potential for aquaculture.
“Some people have created those problems. Fishermen cannot fish in the lagoon. If they insist to do so, the fish stock will disappear as the shallow water lagoon only represents a small area,” says the environment specialist.
To resolve the misunderstanding, Minister Dogley has suggested that
the IDC and the fishermen sit down together and discuss the situation.
Following the Farquhar area being declared a disaster zone, Mr Dogley has announced that the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) has already pledged a grant of US $50 000 which will go into damage assessment. He has also revealed that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) which offers help to devastated communities has also given indications that it will intervene.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249235

Seychelles signs landmark Paris Agreement on climate change

27-April-2016


Seychelles has joined the majority of the States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in signing the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change.
The agreement aims to enact policies to effect greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance as from the year 2020.
A total of 176 countries including Seychelles have heeded the call of the United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, and signed this agreement which reaffirms the strong commitment of governments of the world to deliver on the promises made when the agreement was brokered in Paris in December 2015. The signing ceremony held in New York is but the first step towards the implementation of the agreements.
The agreement was signed by Ambassador Marie-Louise Potter, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Seychelles to the United Nations, on behalf of Seychelles Head of State James Alix Michel.
Individual countries must now complete internal ratification procedures before the agreement can come into force. To cement the Paris Agreement international policy on climate change, a minimum of 55 countries representing at least 55% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions must ratify the Paris Agreement. Only then will the agreement be legally binding to all its signatories.
A communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that Seychelles implores the rapid ratification by other countries to ensure implementation of this agreement commences swiftly. Seychelles is also calling on all other governments to take the challenge, to show continued political will and to fulfill the commitments to achieve the future that we want.
So far 15 countries have ratified this agreement, most of them Small Island Developing States (Sids) with low carbon footprint. They include Barbados, Belize, Fiji, Grenada, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nauru, Palau, Palestine, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa and Tuvalu.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249237