Safety remains a paramount priority for assessment teams in the Western Division as they gauge the full extent of damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Vaianu.
Divisional Commissioner West Apolosi Lewaqai confirmed while initial damage assessments (IDA) were underway, adverse weather and sea conditions had dictated the pace of operations, particularly in the maritime zones.
“Necessary safety measures must be taken before ground assessments can be fully conducted in maritime areas still facing adverse weather conditions,” he said.
Despite a blackout in communications caused by Tropical Cyclone Vaianu, officials managed to re-establish contact with isolated communities in the Yasawa Group early Wednesday morning.
“The team from last night (Tuesday) until early this morning (Wednesday), with the assistance of our roko tui, and MSAF (Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji ) and the Fiji police, we were trying to get hold of three tikina in Naviti, Viwa and tikina Yasawa.”
Mr Lewaqai noted that while most roads were accessible, some areas still require 4×4 vehicles.
The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) is currently working to restore full access to hospitals and supermarkets for those still cut off. Plans to deploy teams to the islands were temporarily shelved due to treacherous sea conditions.
“This morning (Wednesday) we still experienced around 20 to 25 knots, the experience of backwater in the sea and we were going from medium to high waves, so it was not safe for us to do that.”
Mr Lewaqai said the office was strictly following advice from the MSAF and the Fiji Meteorological Service.
“As of last night (Tuesday), the weather advice was not favourable for us to deploy the team to carry out the initial damage assessment but nevertheless, we managed to get information from our gatekeepers, the Turaga ni koro and the Mata ni tikina, who are supplying us with information.”
With yesterday marking the final day for the initial damage assessment, teams are being mobilised to verify the impact on infrastructure, households, and farms.
“We are fully relying on the team, including the Ministry of Agriculture, to carry out the report, so that we can provide the exact figure once we are done with our initial assessment.
“The only challenge in terms of carrying out the initial damage assessment is the accessibility of our officers to carry out this work, as most of the places were still not safe to be, we couldn’t access, they were still flooded.”
Mr Lewaqai said the divisional office was also finalising lists of affected families to begin the distribution of food rations and non-food items.
