JOE Rokoyawa is thankful to the officers from the National Fire Authority, who helped relocate his five-month-old grandson and five-year-old granddaughter to higher grounds after their house was inundated by floodwaters during Sunday night’s downpour.
The 68-year-old from Nasevou St, Lami, said this was the worst flood experienced in the past three decades. About 20 houses, including the Qauia Police Post, were affected by floodwaters on Sunday night.
“The rain started in the evening, and within a few hours, our area was completely flooded,” Mr Rokoyawa said.
“At first, I thought the water would stay only in my compound, but when it started entering our house, we were shocked.
“We hoped it might go down, but it kept rising rapidly.”
He explained that this was the moment when the family became deeply concerned for their safety and belongings.
“Our priority was our children. The National Fire Authority officers were on patrol, and when they arrived, we asked for their help to move my five-month-old grandson and five-year-old granddaughter to another family’s home, which was on higher ground.
“The women of the house were taken to my sister’s home nearby, which was on slightly higher land. But to our surprise, floodwaters reached that house as well.”
Mr Rokoyawa said they were initially relaxed, never imagining the water would rise so high.
“It was shocking because in the past three decades, we have never experienced a flood like this.
“I am thankful to God that no one in the family was injured, even though we suffered significant losses due to the flood damage.”
