Government has been closely monitoring weather situation: Ditoka

The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management is closely working with the Fiji Meteorological Service as they continue to monitor the adverse weather affecting parts of the Western Division.

The team has conducted visitations to some of the flood prone communities in the West.

Minister for Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka confirms that he has been fully briefed by the Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) team and teams on the ground are continuously providing updates to the senior management about the situation in the West. Mr Ditoka said he was relieved to confirm that there had only been reports of minimal damage.

Director NDMO, Vasiti Soko said these affected communities were identified as “low lying” and “prone” to flooding in any event of heavy rainfall in the past.

“In light of the adverse weather currently affecting parts of the West, as usual practice, the NDMO alongside the Divisional Commissioners are monitoring the situation and will scale up our efforts should the need arise,” she said. “So far the only report of damage we have received is the Nalotawa Road in Ba which is in danger of slipping. As confirmed by the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) chief executive officer (CEO) - the road is still open with single lane traffic.

“Caution signs haves also been installed to warn commuters. FRA will be verifying the cause of slip once the weather clears, and also carry out remedial measures.”

Based on reports from Commissioner Western and his team on the ground, the NDMO has confirmed that no evacuation centre (EC) had been activated since reports of flash flooding in the West were received.

The NDMO will continue to advise members of the public on actions to take to avoid loss of lives in future disasters.

Ba Town Council

Council chief executive officer, Priya Singh has advised the residents to take extreme precaution during the heavy rain and not to enter the flooding areas.

“We know that November to April is the cyclone season, hence everyone must prepare themselves for the situation,” she said.

“We ask the residents to cooperate with us during the rainy season and also advise us if they intend to take out rubbish after heavy rain so it can be cleared on time.”