To be forewarned is to be forearmed, let’s play it by the rules
Fijians need to wake up!
We can no longer use the excuse that we were not informed, ill-informed and as a result are illprepared for weather-related calamities.
When are we ever going to take seriously the weather office forecast?
Our laid-back and sometimes no-care attitude are a setback we must seriously address.
With the changing weather patterns we now experience, the weather office notifications must be taken seriously.
Otherwise we will continue to suffer as a result of our own self-inflicted ignorance.
What we saw in Labasa yesterday is a typical example of how ignorant we can become about the weather warnings announced on radio, television, online and inn the print media.
Many said they were caught unaware. Perhaps it’s because of past experiences. Previously when there was a flood warning, nothing of this magnitude happened. Only this time, predictions by the weather office was spot on.
But thankfully the authorities in Labasa were prepared and ready for the worst.
The worst did hit as early as 3am yesterday in floodprone areas of Labasa.
Led by Commissioner Northern Jovesa Vocea, the team took pro-active measures and picked up members of the public whose homes were flooded. Meanwhile, as the day progressed and with water continuing to rise, children and adults were seen playing touch rugby and swimming in flooded waters.
This was also witnessed during the floods in the Western Division earlier this week. It serves as a reminder that due to lack of supervision by parents, tragic incidents can happen.
In the Labasa, people have been warned that the disciplinary forces will be monitoring movement as Fiji braces for another rainy weekend.
As schools will be closed due to the weather situation, parents are advised to keep their children entertained indoors. Those found playing in flooded waters will be chased home.
We can no longer take weather forecasts for granted. Take precautionary measures. Heed the advice and warning seriously. It may just save your life.