A family in Sawani has lost their home and all their belongings due to a landslide triggered by heavy rain and flooding. Ranjeev Prasad, the homeowner, reported that the landslide struck at 5 am yesterday morning. In a panic, the family evacuated their collapsing house, leaving everything behind in fear of being buried in mud.
Mr. Prasad shared that they had lived in the house for over 37 years, and this incident was unprecedented for them. “We heard cracking sounds, and when I looked out the window, I saw the mud coming down,” he explained. He added, “My clothes and our belongings are all inside the house; we must start from scratch again.” For the time being, the family plans to stay with neighbors while they determine their next steps. He mentioned that clearing their home of debris could take several months.
Deepak Vishal Narayan, owner of Narayan Motors Service Station Ltd, noted that the landslide severely impacted his business, damaging refrigerators and food items with water and mud. The service station will remain closed until safety assessments and cleanup are completed, affecting local residents.
The Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) has warned that cloud and rain will continue to impact the Central, Eastern, and Northern divisions of the country today. In response, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has advised residents in affected areas, particularly Vatuwaqa and Wailoku in Suva, to move to nearby evacuation centers. The designated centers include St. Marcellin Primary School, Marist Champagnat Institute, and Marata Hall in Wailoku.
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