Families in the Central Division faced significant challenges following a severe flooding event on Sunday night, resulting in thousands of dollars in damages. Shalen Singh, a 48-year-old construction worker from the Muslim League Settlement in Nabua, reported losses exceeding $15,000 worth of electrical construction equipment due to the swift rise of water levels.
Singh recounted the harrowing experience, stating that he initially moved his car to a friend’s house for safety. However, when he returned, the intensity of the rain had increased dramatically, and the floodwaters quickly overwhelmed their home. Despite efforts to salvage their belongings with the help of his family, the relentless water made it impossible to save anything. He shifted his focus to ensuring the safety of his loved ones, highlighting the urgent nature of the situation.
In a bewildering turn of events, Singh witnessed a thief attempting to steal a solar panel from his roof amid the downpour. “At first, I thought he was trying to escape the flood, but no — he was after the solar panel,” he remarked, noting that he had never seen flooding of this magnitude in their area. He believes that many households and families near the creek experienced similar damages and losses.
Meanwhile, 68-year-old Joe Rokoyawa from Nasevou St, Lami, expressed his dismay after losing nearly $20,000 worth of household items. He emphasized the rapid rise of the water and noted the added difficulties caused by a blackout in the area, which hindered efforts to salvage their possessions. Rokoyawa lamented the loss of years of hard work, expressing the emotional toll that such a disaster can inflict on families.
The flooding incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that communities face in the wake of severe weather events. It fosters a sense of solidarity among residents as they come to terms with their losses and begin the daunting process of recovery. The resilience shown by families, like Singh and Rokoyawa, illustrates the human spirit’s capacity to endure and overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
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