Two weeks into the new year and Desmond Dass is unfortunate to have lost part of his property to a waterspout which caught Fiji’s attention last Friday as it formed out at sea in Korolevu, Nadroga.
The strong winds damaged the roof of the family home, destroying the structure which is worth more than $50,000.
In an interview Mr Dass said this was the first time for a natural disaster to cause extensive damage to his property.
He said there were three waterspouts out at sea, the second of which moved towards their house around 10.45am on Friday causing the damage.
“Something we noticed when it was coming from the sea, it looked like boiling water with bubbles sucked into the air,” he said.
“For us facing that disaster, it’s the first time but tidal waves has become normal for us. We were at home, myself and my uncle while my wife was at work. We faced tidal waves and other natural disasters but this is different, it happened all of a sudden.
“People refer to it as waterspout but to me, what happened yesterday (Friday) I could say it was a tornado. We have seen a lot of waterspouts going across the ocean, but that one, was a waterspout combined with a tornado.
“Because it came on land and it came between the coconut trees and uprooted all the tins out and timber.”
Mr Dass said he was alerted by his nephew when the waterspout came towards their direction.
“And that is when they started banging the tins and making sounds, and it made the difference to the third and big waterspout when it went straight and died down.”
Mr Dass acknowledged the support of the community in Korolevu and his friends for donating tin roofs to help in the rebuilding of their home.
Those wishing to assist Mr Dass in rebuilding their house can contact him on 9785207.
