Tropical Cyclone Urmil, classified as a Category Two storm, is currently moving away from Viti Levu but continues to bring heavy rain and strong winds to several maritime islands. Areas such as Kadavu, the Lau Group, and surrounding islands have been significantly impacted since last night.
Residents of Totoya faced hazardous conditions as gale-force gusts prompted them to cut church services short and rush home to secure their properties. Villager Pita Ledua shared his experience with FBC News, explaining that they promptly docked their fiberglass boats after receiving weather advisories. “We have learned from past experience, so we ensure that we are ready to keep us safe,” he said, highlighting the importance of community preparedness.
Pauliasi Takape, the Turaga ni Koro of Dravuwalu village, reported that strong winds had been affecting the area since early morning. “Right now we are currently experiencing strong winds swaying coconut trees. We can see debris from the winds this morning. We had to stop our church service, and people are staying indoors. We are fortunate that no one died; the only issue now is that most of our houses are old, and if the wind continues, it can damage them. Corrugated roofing irons were flying around as debris from the strong winds this morning,” he noted, emphasizing the need for caution amidst the dramatic weather.
On Ono-i-Lau, wind conditions intensified overnight, severely disrupting communication on the island, which relies heavily on solar power. Ogea Island is also facing relentless downpours and strong gusts that began early this morning.
As Tropical Cyclone Urmil continues to move southeastward and is located west-southwest of Kadavu, it is expected that the areas will experience ongoing strong northwesterly winds and active rainbands. Reports indicate that periods of heavy rain coupled with isolated thunderstorms are likely to persist in the region, creating potential challenges for recovery efforts.
Despite the adversities faced, the collective response of the local communities highlights their resilience and preparedness in the face of natural disasters. As the islands brace for continued weather impacts, there is hope that the residents will emerge safe and that lessons learned will further bolster their readiness for future storms.
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