Storm surge or not, life in Mali goes on
Children of Nakawaga Village on Mali Island, which is off Vanau Levu, welcome the New Year with joy, laughter and merry-making by beating on empty drums and old roof tins.
Their joy and exuberance were not dampened by the fact that many of their homes were left in ruins after a storm surge by Cyclone Yasa swept in from the sea and through their village. The surge was more destructive than the strong winds.
LAISA LUI
Awidow on Mali Island was left bewildered when storm surges from Tropical Cyclone Yasa knocked down her onebedroom home.
It was just three weeks ago that Loame Silinobogi, 58, of Nakawaga Village lost her husband to kidney failure.
When she returned to her house after TC Yasa, it was in despair and knocked off from its stilts.
At the height of it, she was sheltering with her son and his family, who live next door. Even then, they had to rush out of house as the waves rushed into the home, leaving them puzzled.
“The next thing I knew we were all standing as the waves had come right in the house,” she said.
“We had to move to higher ground immediately.
“Despite the darkness we hurried outside through the back door and walked to another family house on higher ground.
“At around 11pm the winds were so powerful and the storm surge sweeping through the village knocked down my one bedroom home.
“We have piled the things we have found to help with the rebuilding. There are items that we cannot retrieve, like the mattress that is hanging in the mangroves as it was washed away by the strong currents.
“Our crops was also destroyed but with the help of my grandson, we get up early in the morning and go to the farm to plant 80 cassava plots,” she said.
Her account of the cyclone paints a similar experience for the rest of the villagers. Other structures, like the village shop, was partially submerged by sea. Mali is a 45-minute boat ride from Labasa.
Nakawaga Village headman Henry Koliniwai said when he heard the weather forecast on the radio, he quickly organised families to prepare for the coming cyclone as they were attending a wedding. “Out of the 34 houses, three houses were totally washed away as the strong winds sent waves sweeping across the low-lying houses, while 14 houses, the village hall and the church were partially damaged. Other houses had two roofing irons blown away” Mr Koliniwai said.” “We have been continuously doing clean up and piling up building household materials that can be reused to rebuild the houses.
“At the same time we’re planning on moving those houses that were right near the shoreline to higher ground, it is something that we have considered as the rebuilding of the houses will be in process.”
Worst of its kind
For 73-year-old Turaga ni Yavusa Ratu Savenaca Koliniwai, TC Yasa he said, was worst he’d experienced.
Ratu Savenaca said while working in Lautoka when he witnessed Hurricane Bebe struck but rated TC Yasa more powerful than the former.
“I thank God that no life was taken. Life is more important than material things,” he said.
Even Varanisese Ranuku, 77, can attest to Ratu Savenaca’s account. “Many cyclones that have passed we used to hide in caves or under the house, but since I have aged, I recalled the words of my late father is to pray and God can hear us and will save us,” she said.
“That was what I did, I sat in my room and continuously prayed by 10pm when the winds were gaining momentum and sending waves flooding into the village. My nephew, a retired Police officer came and carried me to his house as it was located on higher ground.
“All my life, there has never been a storm surge on the island. This is the first of its kind.”
As the village recovers from the ordeal, the village’s New Year began with a church service and welcoming the Minister for Youth and Sports Parveen Bala who brought farming assistance for their youth club.