Seventy-six-year-old Malakai Waqa met a tragic fate when Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston struck his village, turning a normal day into a devastating ordeal for his family. As powerful sea currents flooded their home, Mr. Waqa was swept away, and his family would be haunted by this moment long after his passing just four days later.
His daughter-in-law, Vasemaca Kotobalavu, then 27, vividly recalls the chaos that ensued when the storm surge breached their home. “Our house door was flushed open by the rough tides of the sea, and it swept my father-in-law out the door,” she lamented. In an effort to ensure Mr. Waqa’s safety that morning, the family had urged him to seek refuge on higher ground, but he dismissed their concerns, stating, “I will, later.”
The situation escalated quickly after they had breakfast, as the weather deteriorated and seawater inundated their house. “We were left swimming inside our home,” Kotobalavu recounted, as panic set in. She managed to carry her four-year-old niece, Sereana Adi, on her back while her husband held onto their daughter, Milika Moala. Their two sons, Ilai Bokai, 8, and Onisimo Soko, 7, were assisted by relatives ahead of them, navigating the floating debris of roofing iron and uprooted trees.
Once safely sheltered on higher ground near the local school, Kotobalavu’s family inquired about Mr. Waqa. Initially, there was no word of his condition. However, hours later, two men informed the family that he had been brought into their home by the storm surge. “When he woke up, he was so happy to see my husband,” Kotobalavu shared, adding that Mr. Waqa thought he was the sole survivor of the disaster.
Tragically, he had sustained severe injuries, including a head injury and broken ribs. Despite being airlifted to Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, Mr. Waqa succumbed to his injuries four days later.
This heartbreaking account underscores the devastating impact of severe weather events, highlighting the importance of heeding evacuation warnings and preparing for natural disasters. Community resilience and the spirit to help one another can provide hope in the face of such calamities.
Leave a comment