Severe flooding impacted the community of Lovu Seaside in Lautoka on Sunday night, forcing residents to evacuate their homes. Among those affected was 50-year-old Unaisi Tinaicakau, a grandmother of nine. With safety as her main concern, Mrs. Tinaicakau quickly began preparing to leave as floodwaters surged around her property. She reached out to local authorities by sending a photo to the turaga-ni-koro, leading to police assistance for evacuating residents by 6 PM. By Monday afternoon, over ten families found refuge at the Lovu evacuation center. Despite the devastation to her belongings, Mrs. Tinaicakau expressed gratitude that her family was safe, saying, “I’m just thankful to God my children and my grandchildren are safe.”
In another part of Fiji, the villagers of Nabuna in Tavua faced a similar crisis as floodwaters submerged their only access road, isolating them from crucial services. Since early Sunday morning, the residents have been stranded in their homes, grappling with knee-deep water as they ventured out to gather food and supplies. Village headman Sainvalati Nasau reported that 67 households, totaling 335 villagers, were affected by the flooding, which continues to pose challenges for those needing to access the main highway. Mr. Nasau noted that children had missed school due to the hazardous conditions and called for roads to be raised to improve safety once the weather permits.
These incidents highlight the resilience and determination of the local communities in the face of natural disasters, showcasing their commitment to supporting one another during difficult times.
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