Pastor Jumps Into Waterway To Clear Rubbish In Heavy Downpour
Suva Pastor Joni Sauta takes the saying ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’ literally. When the water level rose in streams and drains in Suva yesterday because of heavy rain, the Assemblies of God pastor had no hestitation in getting into the Karsanji St waterway in Vatuwaqa, Suva, to clear the floating rubbish.
“I saw the water rising and I knew the outlet would be blocked. I collected the rubbish and put them in black rubbish bags. If we didn’t do that the outlet would be blocked and cause flooding,” he said.
He had no second thoughts about jumping into the stream, which he knew was contaminated.
“We are doing this for the health of the people who live here. We must live in a clean environment. I know the stream is dirty but it’s the risk I take to keep our environment clean and avoid flooding. Cleanliness starts from home.”
“I’m appealing to all the people of Fiji. If you see rubbish pick it up and dispose it in the proper way.” His colleague, Assemblies Of God Church member, Eparama Vonoyauyau, stood on the roadside and picked up the rubbish bags.
Flooding
The heavy downpour yesterday caused some flooding in some low lying areas that the Fiji Sun team visited.
The situation made life difficult for children, pedestrians and bus passengers who were trying to find shelter. In Nausori, Paula Kotoisuva who lives along the Sawani Road, said the flooding did not surprise him. He said when the rain caused flooding they would move to the top floor of their double-storey home. Other Sawani residents said when the drains got blocked water would flood the roads and their homes. The busy road in Nakasi was also flooded in some sections during the heavy downpour. Drivers were forced to drive slowly and turn on their vehicle lights because visibility on the road was poor.
Wet weather to clear
The wet weather that has been affecting us should be clear by tomorrow, according to the director for Fiji Meteorological Services, Ravind Kumar.
“A few notable rainfalls were recorded in the Northern Division with Matei recording 107mm, Udu Point 56mm, Nabouwalu 48mm and Labasa Airport 40mm,” he said. Agricultural Marketing Authority’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Alivereti Cokanasiga Yaya, said that due to the blocked drains on the main road at ND Patel Road their warehouse in Nausori was flooded.