Complex sentence: In a five day period the cyclone dropped about 450 mm (17.7 in) of rainfall; the precipitation destroyed two bridges on Malakula, and several other bridges on the island were flooded or damaged.
Split into simpler sentences: In a five day period the cyclone dropped about 450 mm (17.7 in) of rainfall. Two bridges on Malakula were destroyed, and several other bridges were flooded or damaged.