WATER levels at Vaturu Dam are deteriorating rapidly, raising concerns over water security as Fiji prepares for worsening dry weather and possible drought conditions, says Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
In an interview in Lautoka yesterday Ro Filipe urged Fijians to prepare for possible water shortages and take steps to conserve water.
“As of the Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, the briefing from the Water Authority of Fiji was that the water level at Vaturu Dam is rapidly deteriorating or lowering, and we will be issuing advisories as we move forward,” he said.
Ro Filipe said the Government had been warning the public over the past three months about the El Niño phenomenon, dry weather and the risk of drought.
“The public needs to be prepared.
“We need to be prepared for the worst as we move forward.”
He said the National Disaster Risk Management Office would coordinate the Government’s response and work with relevant agencies to issue further advisories.
“And also bringing together the whole of government response as we move forward. But in practical terms, you need to conserve water.
“Families need to work on their individual family plans; you need to acquire water storage tanks. For example, like these ones we have here in Vanuakula Settlement, we have been distributing.”
