A freak windstorm destroyed 11 houses and a church, leaving about 20 residents seeking refuge in a community hall in Rakiraki, according to an article published in The Fiji Times on September 13, 1990.
Six people, including a two-year-old boy from Naivuvuni Village, sustained minor injuries from flying roofing iron but were released after treatment at Rakiraki Hospital.
Selai Ratumatua, a villager, explained that the whirlwind, which struck around 8:20 am, lasted about half an hour, starting from the seaside and moving upward, damaging houses along its path.
A Public Works Department van traveling towards town was caught in the whirlwind and spun for four minutes before crashing into a tree. The driver and a PWD foreman sustained minor injuries and were treated at the hospital.
Several houses lost their roofs and an 11-year-old church was completely demolished, leaving only its concrete foundation. Three nearby houses also suffered significant damage. An old wooden shop owned by Ram Sharan had its roof torn off in the storm.
Ms. Ratumatua said many men were out fishing or harvesting cane when the whirlwind began, while women and children were engaged in domestic activities.
Village elder Sailasa Naisekene, 63, remarked that it was the first time he had experienced such a windstorm, describing it as sounding like an airplane with thunderous noise, breaking tree branches, and uprooting coconut palms and breadfruit trees. He believed it was fortunate the whirlwind struck during the day, as nighttime impacts could have been more serious.
Women trapped under flattened roofs and walls had to wait for rescue, often losing belongings like beds, clothing, and kitchen utensils in the process. Six families found shelter in the village community hall and received food from relatives.
Rakiraki district officer Sakenasa Varea inspected the damage and planned to conduct a detailed survey before deciding on food rations for the villagers.
Dr. Reuben Villarroya, the sub-divisional medical officer of Rakiraki, confirmed that six patients with minor injuries were treated and sent home.
Acting director of meteorology Rajendra Prasad noted that while whirlwinds were not uncommon, they were hard to detect, similar to cyclones but smaller, typically occurring in bad weather and low pressure.
Following the whirlwind, it rained all day in Rakiraki and parts of Tavua, with rainwater reaching flood levels. The weather office attributed the rain to a slow-moving cloud system caused by low pressure, predicting continued rainfall.