Flooding once again caused significant disruptions in the Western Division, leading to the shutdown of towns, loss of water and electricity supplies, and necessitating the evacuation of entire communities to higher grounds.
Evacuation centers were set up in Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, and Tavua as residents braced for rising water levels in nearby rivers due to the expected high tide around 4 PM. In Lautoka, families from Lovu seaside, Tore settlement, and Naviyago were relocated to Lovu Sangam Primary School, where around 25 individuals were reported evacuated.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, ACP Livai Driu, emphasized the need for movement restrictions to ensure public safety and protect property. “Our main concern is the safety of our people and their properties,” he stated.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services urged residents in the affected areas to take precautions, such as boiling drinking water and properly disposing of deceased animals, to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases like typhoid and diarrhoea. Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr. Rusiate Tudravu emphasized these preventive measures to safeguard community health.
As communities come together to face this environmental challenge, the responses from local officials and health authorities indicate a proactive approach to ensuring safety and health amid the floods. This situation reminds us of the resilience and solidarity of affected communities, who are working to support one another during these trying times.
Overall, while the flooding presents immediate challenges, it also showcases the strength and unity of the communities in the Western Division as they manage this natural disaster.
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