Kevin Bautista

Recovery efforts well underway in Saipan

The typhoon's sustained winds destroyed several hundred homes leaving many needing help.

Kevin Bautista from the Emergency Management office, says 90 percent of roadways have now been cleared of debris and a shipment of fuel is due next week.

Mr Bautista says over 25 percent of the island now has limited water capacity and that figure is increasing daily.

More than 1300 residents have applied for Federal relief assistance and a US Navy ship carrying substantial aid arrived in Saipan on the weekend.