Tropical Cyclone Winston hits Fiji, killing at least 29 - most powerful storm on record in Southern Hemisphere

Tropical Cyclone Winston struck Fiji with unprecedented force, leaving a trail of devastation and claiming at least 29 lives. As the most powerful storm ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, Winston made landfall on February 20, 2016, with wind speeds reaching up to 185 mph (297 km/h). The cyclone’s destructive winds and torrential rains flattened villages, uprooted trees, and swept away homes. Coastal areas were battered by storm surges, flooding entire communities and causing widespread displacement. Communication lines and power infrastructure were severely damaged, making rescue and relief operations even more challenging. Thousands of Fijians were left homeless, seeking shelter in evacuation centers as the nation faced one of its darkest moments. The aftermath of Cyclone Winston revealed the true extent of the disaster. Rural areas bore the brunt of the storm, with entire villages reduced to rubble. Farmers lost their crops, and fisheries were severely affected, threatening food security and livelihoods. International aid and humanitarian organizations swiftly responded, providing emergency supplies, medical assistance, and rebuilding support. The resilience and unity of the Fijian people shone through as they began the long journey toward recovery. Cyclone Winston served as a harsh reminder of the increasing intensity of tropical storms, highlighting the urgent need for climate resilience and disaster preparedness in vulnerable island nations. #TropicalCycloneWinston #FijiStorm2016 #SouthernHemisphereRecordStorm #NaturalDisaster #ClimateResilience #IslandNationStruggle #StormSurvivors #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife