Heavy rainfall has caused devastating flooding in the village of Nadaro, Tailevu, leaving the entire community submerged under water. Village headman Qaravanacolo reported that after just four hours of rain, all 56 homes have been affected, with families navigating their neighborhood by boat. This incident marks a significant escalation in flooding severity, as Mr. Qaravanacolo highlighted that this is the first time in a long while that water has penetrated homes so drastically.
The floods were primarily caused by the swelling of the Waisere River, exacerbated by a nearby creek whose winding path hampers effective water drainage during heavy rains. “The water can’t move freely and backs up into the village during heavy rain,” Mr. Qaravanacolo explained, emphasizing the need for government assistance to straighten the creek to improve water flow to the sea.
Despite community efforts to mitigate flooding through river gapping, the headman noted that progress has been hindered by limited resources. Reflecting on their requests for government help made two years ago, he urged that flood mitigation work in Nadaro Village be prioritized as the community faces another calamity.
This flooding in Nadaro echoes recent similar incidents across Fiji, such as the devastating impact on 8 Miles River-Road in Narere and in Tavualevu Village, Tavua. In Narere, residents experienced unprecedented flooding, with property losses prompting urgent calls for government assistance. Likewise, Tavualevu has faced repeated flooding, leading to appeals for improved river management to address increasing flood risks due to sediment buildup.
The plight of Nadaro, Narere, and Tavualevu villagers collectively highlights the urgent need for action against environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change. Communities are banding together to seek necessary government intervention, which may ultimately foster a better foundation for future flood preparedness and mitigation to protect vulnerable areas from natural disasters.
While these events are distressing, they also showcase community resilience and a proactive stance toward seeking solutions for a safer future. There is hope that with proper government support and infrastructure investment, improvements can be made to help prevent such disasters from recurring.
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