Seventeen people have drowned during natural disaster events between 2017 and August 2021.
This, according to data released by the Fiji Police Force which was highlighted by National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) director Vasiti Soko.
“Majority of these incidents involved people being swept away by strong currents while trying to cross flooded rivers, creeks and streams during disasters,” Ms Soko said.
“This is why the NDMO continuously pleads with the public to stay away from these flooded areas.
“These fatalities can be reduced because avoiding drowning is well within our control.”
She said members of the public needed to remember that crossing flooded rivers and streams could result in the loss of lives and also placed search and rescue teams at risk.
“During times such as this, we also continue to call on parents to ensure that their children are supervised at all times and children must not be allowed to swim in flooded waters.
“Additionally, we also wish to remind the public to store sufficient amount of water as there is a possibility that water sources could be disrupted in an event of a landslide and from heavy rain.”
