In Tavualevu Village, Tavua, heavy rainfall has led to flash floods, forcing 47 families to seek shelter at evacuation centers. Among those affected is 45-year-old Titilia Raibe Tamailebo, who has struggled to find rest since the flooding began. She has expressed concerns for the loss of their farm and the condition of their possessions.
Tamailebo recounted that they began relocating essential items to the Tavua District School evacuation center on Friday morning. Though she managed to save her washing machine and fridge, the family has been left without electricity and many kitchen appliances, as their mattresses were soaked and carried away by the floodwaters.
Emosi Vueti, the village headman, indicated that flash flooding has become a regular issue for the community, particularly during sustained heavy rain. He attributed the ongoing problem to the Nasivi River, which has become shallow due to sediments from the Vatukoula River accumulating on the riverbed. Vueti has called for government assistance to excavate the river and prevent further flooding.
While the situation remains dire, the community is resilient and familiar with coping strategies for these frequent floods. Tamailebo and other families are urging for support in replacing lost items such as mattresses.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of infrastructure and environmental management, especially in vulnerability-prone areas. As the village advocates for government action, there’s hope for improved measures that will protect residents in the future and mitigate the impact of such natural disasters.
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