MAYA Wati cowered in fear as she listened to the raging floodwaters and the roar of thunder outside her home.
The 66-year-old, who lives alone at the Muslim League squatter settlement in Nabua, Suva, felt completely helpless on Sunday night as heavy rain lashed the Central Division.
As the waters rose rapidly and engulfed houses near a creek, she became stuck in her home, unable to move to a safer location.
Yesterday, she recounted the terrifying ordeal — one she believes could have claimed her life had the heavy rain continued for just another 30 minutes.
“I had no one to help me because I live alone,” Ms Wati said.
“I was terrified when the water level rose to my shoulder.
“At that moment, I thought it was the end of my life.”
She said praying to the Lord was her only option, as she could neither move to safety nor reach anyone for help.
“I had no other choice but to pray to the Lord for his mercy.
“I had my phone with me and called my church members for help. But they couldn’t reach me at that moment because the rain was too heavy and the floodwaters had already risen and flooded our area.”
Ms Wati said the floodwaters rose so quickly that she had no chance to save anything inside her home.
“I am a sickly woman, and I simply didn’t have the strength to lift or move anything.
“Even if I had tried, it wouldn’t have made a difference because the floodwaters rose so quickly and so high.”
She described watching helplessly as the water swept through her home.
“I’ve lost everything — all my food supplies, my clothes, bedding, kitchenware — everything has been ruined. There is nothing left to salvage.
“It’s heartbreaking to see the things I depended on every day destroyed.”
Yesterday, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visited her home to offer support.
When The Fiji Times arrived, some of the women from the church were helping her bathe while others were busy cleaning the house.
