Tinian to wait months for power restoration after Typhoon Yutu downs CNMI poles

1:21 pm on 30 October 2018

The Northern Marianas island of Tinian will have to wait three months for power to be restored to at least half the island after last week's Super Typhoon.

Tinian after Yutu has blown through

Tinian after Yutu had blown through Photo: Supplied/ Edwin Sta.Theresa

The situation has been highlighted by Governor Ralph Torres and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, who say more than 1,000 power poles were destroyed across the CNMI during Super Typhoon Yutu.

Tinian, where the eye of Yutu directly passed, is expected to endure a long period without power, after 183 power poles were downed.

On the main island of Saipan there were 779 downed poles.

Even the southern-most island of Rota also incurred damage to its power infrastructure with over 50 power poles suffering major damage or being destroyed.

In terms of casualties, there was one confirmed death during the typhoon, and while over 130 people were hospitalised.

Meanwhile Governor Torres has also announced all government offices will operate under a shorter 6-hour working day.

Earlier he has also signed an executive order to postpone the 2018 elections until November 13.

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