Grandmother of nine Unaisi Tinaicakau was among residents whose homes were inundated by floodwaters at Lovu Seaside in Lautoka on Sunday night. Mrs Tinaicakau, 50, said she did not wait for an official evacuation order as water began rising rapidly around her home.
“I have nine grandchildren and their safety was my first priority,” she said, relating how the family started packing as soon as water entered their yard.
She said that after she sent a picture to the turaga-ni-koro, authorities were alerted and by 6pm police officers were assisting residents to evacuate.
By Monday afternoon, more than 10 families had sought shelter at the Lovu evacuation centre.
“I don’t really mind the damage to our belongings. I’m just thankful to God my children and my grandchildren are safe.”
Villagers brave rain to secure supplies
VILLAGERS of Nabuna in Tavua have been stranded for days after floodwaters submerged their only access road, cutting them off from essential services.
Residents, stuck in their homes since 3am on Sunday, braved heavy rain yesterday to wade through knee-deep water to secure food and supplies.
Village headman Sainvalati Nasau said 67 households, comprising 335 villagers, had been affected.
“We had been experiencing this flood situation since Sunday morning around 3am,” he said.
“And until today (yesterday) our village is still filled with floodwaters.”
He said children had missed school because the flooded road made it unsafe to reach the main highway.
“It is hard for them to walk across unless the Government can raise our road to the same level as the highway.”
Mr Nasau added that some homes had been inundated and most families remained in place as vehicles could not access the village.
He has urged authorities to raise the road level when the weather improves.
