A family in Sawani has lost their home and all of their belongings due to a landslide triggered by intense rain and flooding. Ranjeev Prasad, the homeowner, reported that the landslide happened early yesterday morning at 5 a.m. In a rush to escape their collapsing home, the family left everything behind, fearing they might be buried in the mud.
Prasad stated that the family had lived in the house for over 37 years and this was the first incident of its kind. “We heard some cracking sounds and when I looked out the window, we saw the mud coming down,” he recounted. He expressed sorrow over their lost possessions, stating, “My clothes and our belongings are all inside the house; we must start from scratch again.”
Currently, the family plans to stay with neighbors as they figure out their next steps, acknowledging that it may take months to clear the debris from their home. Additionally, Deepak Vishal Narayan, owner of Narayan Motors Service Station Ltd, reported that his business has suffered significant damage. Water and mud have ruined fridges and food items in the store, leading to its temporary closure, which he noted has impacted the local community. The service station will remain closed until safety assessments and cleanup are completed.
The Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) has warned that additional rainfall and clouds are expected to affect the Central, Eastern, and Northern divisions of the country. In response, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has advised residents in affected areas, particularly in Vatuwaqa and Wailoku in Suva, to evacuate to nearby centers. The designated evacuation centers include St Marcellin Primary School, Marist Champagnat Institute, and Marata Hall in Wailoku.
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