In Tavualevu Village, Tavua, heavy rainfall has led to flash floods, displacing 47 families who are currently residing in evacuation centers. One of the evacuees, Titilia Raibe Tamailebo, 45, expresses deep concern for her family’s belongings and their destroyed farm.
Since Thursday, the Tamailebo family has not had restful nights, with Ms. Tamailebo noting the loss of their mattress and household goods. “After 9 am today, we started relocating our essential items to the evacuation center at Tavua District School,” she stated. Despite the overwhelming situation, she humorously noted her relief at managing to save her washing machine and fridge in the chaos, although they have lost electricity and many kitchen appliances.
The village headman, Emosi Vueti, described flash flooding as a recurrent problem for their community. “This year alone, we’ve seen multiple incidents of flash flooding due to consistent heavy rain,” he explained, highlighting the ongoing issue with the Nasivi River becoming shallow from sediment accumulation from the Vatukoula River. He emphasizes the urgent need for government intervention to excavate the river to mitigate future flooding.
Mr. Vueti has communicated with the Minister for Housing, Maciu Nalumisa, and other governmental organizations about their situation, cautioning that their efforts may prove futile if no action is taken. Meanwhile, Ms. Tamailebo is appealing for assistance to replace the mattresses and items lost during the floods.
Despite the challenges posed by the floods, the community’s resilience and proactive approach in handling natural disasters are commendable. The call for governmental support suggests hope for improvements in infrastructure that might prevent future crises, ensuring that families like the Tamailebos can rebuild and regain stability.
This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of community support and effective government response in the face of natural calamities. With appropriate measures, the village may not only recover but also enhance its preparedness for such weather events in the future.
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