OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Cook Islands - Tropical Cyclone Trina
29 November - 3 December 2001


The OCHA Regional Disaster Response Advisor for the Pacific provided the
following information.

Situation and Damage

1.  Tropical Cyclone TRINA formed about 70 km south-southeast of
Rarotonga, capital of the Cook Islands, on 29 November 2001.  It tracked
slowly northeast, passing between Rarotonga and the island of Mangaia on
1-2 December.  Average wind speeds on 2 December reached 70 km/hr with
momentary gusts over 130 km/hr, causing very rough seas with heavy swell.
As at 2119 hours UTC on 2 December, the cyclone had been downgraded to a
tropical depression and was located at 20.6 degrees south, 158.4 degrees
west.  A gale warning remained in force for Mangaia and a strong wind
warning for the rest of the southern Cook Islands.

2.  The heavy rain and storm surge caused flooding of low-lying coastal
areas on both Rarotonga and Mangaia.  Press reports indicate that parts of
Mangaia were covered by up to 2m of water, submerging 95% of the taro crop
and drowning a significant number of livestock.  In addition, some roads
have been washed out and there are reports of landslides.  Aside from
damage to infrastructure, the main concerns are over contamination of the
water supply and loss of the taro crop.  The population is already
experiencing problems with its water supply.  There are currently no
reports of human casualties.


National and International Response

3.  To date the Government of the Cook Islands has not yet declared a
state of emergency, nor requested any international assistance.  After
availability of assessment data from Mangaia, it is expected that the
National Disaster Council will meet to decide what measures need to be
taken.

4.  OCHA is in contact with relevant government authorities in Cook
Islands and the UN Resident Coordinator in Apia, Samoa, through its
Regional Disaster Response Advisor for the Pacific, and will revert with
further information when available.

5.  This situation report, together with information on other ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int



Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. J. McGoldrick / Mr. R. Mueller / Mr. S. Matsuka / Mr.K. Quiding
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 17 12/ 31 31 / 40 34/1769

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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