Cyclone Winston devastated vital coral colonies off Fiji, but four years on, the reefs are alive again.

“The fast recovery likely reflects these reefs have good natural recruitment," said @smangubhai of @wcsfiji, "and they are well managed."https://t.co/HA9Rw9BLaP

— WCS (@TheWCS) March 5, 2021

Good news! Five years after Tropical Cyclone Winston ravaged Fiji and the surrounding areas, the devastated coral reefs surrounding the islands are showing signs of recovery. Winston was the most destructive cyclone on record, causing more than $1.4 billion in damage and claiming 44 lives. The damage extended into the waters where the 170+ MPH winds and rough swells destroyed vast quantities of precious and fragile reef ecosystem.

Years later it seems the reefs have rebounded beyond the expectations of the scientists tracking the recovery. A quick recovery indicates a healthy underlying coral, and a return of the various fish species to the area was a welcome sight as well.

Source: The Guardian