Bula!
The focus of attention is on Severe Tropical Cyclone Mal. Earlier predicted to be at a Level 1, it gradually intensified to Level 2 and developed into a Level 3 storm overnight.
Here are some messages from the weather office 5pm yesterday:
Key Messages:
>A Storm Warning is in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, Western and Southern Viti Levu, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.
>A Gale Warning remains in force for Rotuma, western half of Vanua Levu [Dreketi, Bua to Savusavu], Eastern Viti Levu and Lomaiviti Group.
>A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for rest of Fiji.
>A Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for the whole Fiji Group.
>A Flash Flood Alert is in force for flood prone, small streams and low-lying areas across Viti Levu.
Key Messages from EFL:
> Power Restoration during Normal Times following an Unplanned Outage
#In the event of an unplanned power outage during normal times, the power restoration process involves restarting the power generators and switching on areas one at a time. The process is generally straightforward and restoration of supply is accomplished without too much delay.
> Power Restoration following a Tropical Cyclone
#On the other hand, in the event of a cyclone related power outage, the power restoration process takes a totally different approach with an extremely high safety focus.
The priority areas for power restoration are as follows:
1. Major Hospitals & Health Centres
2. Water Pumping Stations, Water & Sewerage Treatment Plants (WAF) – for stations without Generator backup
3. Central Business Districts, Commercial & Industrial Areas
4. Residential Areas.
Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau is urging us to store water. This isn’t our first cyclone so let’s expect water issues.
Synopsis
A family of Vauleka Settlement at Wailoku just outside Suva are fearing for their lives as the skies opened up.
Heavy rain on Monday caused a landslide beside their home.
Vika Dakei was at work when he got a call from her daughter at around 11am about the incident.
The land around their home had slipped away, taking down trees with it.
It was a concern and the family was fearful yesterday.
Today we are reminded about the power of mother nature, and the impact heavy rain and strong winds can have on our lives.
For whatever it’s worth, there were a lot of people in the Capital City preparing for the worst. That is a good sign. But with as many people preparing, there would have been as many who were complacent, or faced massive challenges.
We should remind ourselves always that we live in a country that has an annual cyclone season that stretches from November through to April.
Cyclones are also unpredictable. The forecasters can predict a path and send out warnings. They are trained to tell us their reading of the paths of cyclones, the possibilities and the potential for an increase or decrease in intensity. It is our responsibility to be prepared always.
It pays then to pay attention to weather reports, understand the impact on where you live, the possibilities of damage, and plan accordingly.
Know your evacuation centres and as a lot of people did in the Capital City, stock up on rations, and include batteries for that transistor radio, or torch if the power is out, and we hope you have filled up those buckets with water.
This may not be the only cyclone this season so let’s stay vigilant, and proactive.
You can log onto www.fijitimes.com for the latest updates, pictures, and videos from around the country.
We have teams that will be out and about once the weather clears up, bringing you updates on the situation.
For now, we hope you are all safe and sound, with your loved ones.
Meanwhile a reminder for all those who may be planning to travel tomorrow. Be alert, plan your journey well, take enough rest before you travel, and follow the road rules. Following heavy rains, parts of our roads may be affected by flash flooding and the strong winds may have swept tree branches and other debris across them.
Be mindful of other road users and slippery portions of the highways, and anticipate poor visibility because of the heavy downpour. Stay alert and stay safe Fiji!
