SAIPAN – Joint Information Center officials Friday updated the Saipan debris removal schedule, with crews working through 10 sectors on a staggered timeline that runs through June 22, as island-wide recovery from Super Typhoon Sinlaku entered its 38th day.
The S.T.R.O.N.G. Tent and Roofing Mission has now installed 648 temporary tents and 76 temporary roofs across Saipan, Tinian and Rota, the JIC said. Saipan accounts for 507 tents and 59 roofs, Tinian 141 tents and 14 roofs, and Rota three roofs.
On Saipan, 98 percent of primary power lines have been energized, with crews securing laterals and energizing customers for additional load on secondary lines. Some areas remain partially energized due to limited material supply, the JIC said. Pending restoration work continues on Kagman Road and at multiple water and wastewater facilities including the Mt. Tapochao Booster and the Agingan Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Total available generation capacity on Saipan stands at 34.7 megawatts, exceeding pre-storm peak demand of approximately 30 megawatts. Power Plant 1 carries 18.7 megawatts, Power Plant 4 carries four megawatts, and Aggreko temporary generation carries 12 megawatts with nine diesel engines online. Power Plant 2 remains at zero, and DE#10 awaits genset repairs.
Saipan water production sits at 92 percent, with 10.5 million gallons per day out of an 11.5 million gallon capacity. Approximately 98 percent of customers are receiving 24-hour water service, and 108 of 137 wells and facilities are online. The boil water notice remains in effect.
On Tinian, all feeders remain offline and 1,059 customers are without commercial power. Crews have installed 17 of 111 downed power poles. The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation received the first of three temporary 900-kilowatt generators at the Tinian Power Plant on May 19, with two more expected. Tinian water service is at 99 percent, and the boil water notice was cancelled May 6.
On Rota, power has been restored and three temporary roofs have been installed. The Rota International Airport is open and operational. Rota West Harbor remains partially restricted, with Berth 2 suspended and Berth 1 limited to daytime general cargo.
The current shelter population stands at 95, a decrease of 42 from the previous count. Six Saipan sites and one Tinian site remain active. The Ada Gym holds 30 clients, Kagman Community Center 24 and the Office on Aging 21.
The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority reported 1,154 transports between April 10 and May 22. The Fixed Route Blue Line 1B continues operating on a modified daylight schedule from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., servicing Garapan, Susupe, Chalan Kanoa, San Antonio, Koblerville and As Terlaje.
At the Saipan International Airport, United Airlines Guam service has resumed and Marianas Air Charter Services and Star Marianas Air are operating inter-island flights. Jet bridges remain down and manual baggage inspections continue. Tinian International Airport remains restricted to humanitarian flights only.
