It is something that people never want to experience, even though when it is the season for it. But since it is an act of Mother Nature, it is unavoidable and it can cause severe destruction and claim lives. Like other countries in the Pacific Islands, Fiji is also in the cyclone season now — starting from November 1 and ending on April 30 next year. The country has experienced cyclones in the past that caused widespread damage and killed several people either by drowning, flying debris, collapsing walls, landslides or electrocution. For many people, the memories of past tropical cyclones that hit the country are still very much alive. While many people have experienced either one or two cyclones in any season, there were four in one year that shattered the country. Today, The Fiji Times takes a look back at the cyclones that struck Fiji within a space of two months in 1985, causing extensive damage and claiming lives.
PEOPLE were going about their daily business when a tropical cyclone alert was issued.
It was about 4pm on January 16, 1985 when the alert was sounded for Viti Levu, nearby smaller islands, the Yasawa and Mamanuca groups.
Named Eric, the tropical cyclone was located 800 kilometres off Nadi and moving at a speed of 10 knots, with the warning that it may accelerate.
On January 18, we reported that Eric had slammed into Western Viti Levu the previous night and claimed the life of a woman, who fell off a punt while crossing a flooded road in Sigatoka.
“Windows caved in, roofs were lifted off the tops of houses and power and communications links were knocked out by winds of 80 knots, gusting to 120 knots,” it was reported.
Businesses around the country closed operations and several people moved to evacuation centres as the cyclone threatened to move across the country.
On January 19, we reported that Tropical Cyclone Eric had claimed 19 lives and the death toll could rise further as reports were yet to come in from other parts of the country.
While people were still trying to pick up the pieces from Eric, a warning was sounded for them to be alert for Tropical Cyclone Nigel, which had claimed five lives in Vanuatu.
There were also reports in this newspaper on the same day of people dying and others seeking shelter in evacuation centres.
It was also reported that seven bodies remained unidentified at the Lautoka Hospital on January 18, some of those who died in TC Eric.
Three people had also died when the concrete walls of Gandhi Bhawan Primary School in Lautoka, where they had taken shelter, collapsed on them.
A Fiji Sugar Corporation welder who had taken shelter at a community hall died when its wall fell on him while a schoolteacher sacrificed her life while protecting her two-year-old son.
Living only metres away from the Lautoka Hospital, I personally took a walk there after TC Eric and saw dead bodies lying in the outpatients department.
On January 21, we reported that about 8000 people had been made homeless by cyclones Eric and Nigel, which struck Fiji two days earlier.
The two cyclones caused massive damage to infrastructure, agriculture and business operations throughout the country.
It was also reported that overseas aid had started coming in and food rations were being supplied to those in evacuation centres.
On January 22, we reported that the then Emergency Services Committee had estimated damage caused by the two cyclones at $40million but it expected the figure to rise.
The police also reported then of looting of homes and shops in different parts of the country at the height of TC Eric.
Children and adults were also pictured taking shelter in evacuation centres as their homes were either destroyed or damaged by the two cyclones.
The then Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara was reported saying in this newspaper on January 23 that the damage by the two cyclones would leave the country short of basic food for the next three to four months.
On January 24, we reported that the official death toll from the two cyclones was 26 and the names of the deceased and how they died were also published.
As the country was trying to recover from the two cyclones, a warning was sounded in early March 1985 that Tropical Cyclone Gavin was hovering nearby.
TC Gavin passed the country on March 5, causing some damage and claiming some lives as well.
Several people were also reported to be sheltering in evacuation centres, as their homes were either flooded or destroyed.
On March 17, we reported that Tropical Cyclone Hina, which had winds up to 15 per cent more powerful than Eric, was closing in on the Fiji Group.
The next day, we reported that Hina had made a sudden turn and was heading away from Fiji the previous night.
But people took refuge in evacuation centres as strong winds and floods affected various parts of the country.
The two cyclones that struck Fiji in January 1985 reportedly caused an estimated damage of $40m to various sectors of the economy.
For those who experienced the four cyclones within a space of two months, it was nothing short of a nightmare.
With the country in the 2014/2015 cyclone season now, the Fiji Meteorological Service has predicted that there are moderate chances that Fiji would experience tropical cyclone activity this year.
“As many as two tropical cyclones can be expected in Fiji this season — together with associated heavy rainstorms — with one possibly reaching or exceeding Category 3,” a statement from the Infrastructure and Transport Ministry in late October stated.
“There is a high probability that these cyclones will pass close to, or over, the northern and eastern parts of Fiji.
Permanent Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, Commander Francis Kean said the predictions were based on weather modelling and not on actual forecasts.
Mr Kean said it was critical that communities across Fiji acted responsibly and paid close attention to all weather updates issued by the FMS and the Government.
“It is very important that Fijians are quick to heed warnings and take the necessary precautions in order to save lives and property,” he said.
He said based on the latest information, tropical cyclone activity for Wallis and Futuna, Tuvalu, Samoa, Niue, Tonga, Southern Cook Islands, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu was predicted to be high.
On the other hand, cyclone activity for Fiji, New Caledonia, Northern Cook Islands and French Polynesia is predicted to be moderate while it is predicted to be low for Tokelau.
The FMS said the official 2014/2015 tropical cyclone season began on November 1 and ends on April 30 next year, although cyclones could form in months outside this period.
It said the peak period for cyclones in the region was usually from January to March.
Considering the past experiences and the loss of lives and property, the authorities believe it is only right for people to take heed of weather warnings and ensure their safety and that of their properties.
There is still time before the cyclone season ends, so anything can be expected.
