Appreciating the power of mother nature

SAIRUSI Kina has fond memories of elderly couple Hari Charan and his wife Asha Wati. He holds them close to his heart, and speaks highly of their generosity.

It’s something he will miss.

Mr Charan, 69, and his wife are believed to have drowned after strong currents swept them away when they were trying to cross a flooded Irish Crossing at Maururu, Ba on Friday.

Mr Kina was on his way to pick his mother-in-law at around 4pm when he noticed a body lying face down in the nearby flooded creek.

Mr Charan’s body was later discovered a few metres away from where his wife’s body was found.

Mr Kina said the elderly couple had been their life saver ever since they moved to Maurara a month ago, and his family would miss their caring personalities and their caring hearts.

In a separate incident, an eight-year-old boy is believed to have drowned after being swept away by strong currents in Tacirua.

As police investigations continue, we are reminded about water safety again this early in the new year.

The Fiji Meteorological Service’s situation report yesterday, at 7.30pm, stated a trough of low pressure lies slow moving to the west of Fiji.

Associated cloud and showers were expected to continue to affect the country till next week. The forecast to midnight for the Fiji group: Occasional showers and isolated thunderstorms over the Northern division, Yasawa and Mamanuca group, and Kadavu.

We can expect isolated heavy falls.

We can also expect cloudy periods with some showers and isolated thunderstorms, with heavy falls likely especially in the afternoon or evening.

The weather office warns us that localised heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low lying areas.

We can also expect moderate to fresh northwest to southeast winds and moderate to rough seas.

The outlook for Monday sees cloudy periods with some showers over Yasawa and the Mamanuca group, the interior and Western parts of Viti Levu (greater Korolevu-Sigatoka-Nadi-Lautoka-Ba-Tavua-Rakiraki area), Vatulele, Kadavu, Macuata and Northern Bua province. Elsewhere, we can expect fine weather apart from afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms with heavy falls.

This brings us back to the issue of life, and how much value we should place on it.

We sympathise with the affected families, and we urge those who live close to rivers and creeks to be vigilant.

There are emotions at play here and loved ones of those who have died will be grieving.

This is why water safety is important. We live and we learn!

As we anticipate more wet weather around the country, we are reminded about how fragile life can be. We are reminded about doing the right thing, and learning to appreciate the power of mother nature.

Stay well and stay!

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FRED WESLEY

I believe a elected councillors will be able to advise what went wrong and how much was wasted. GEOFFREY CHAND Lautoka