Flood ravages village
TEARS flowed and emotions ran high as women of Cogea Village in Wainunu watched their homes and possessions disappear under raging floodwaters at the height of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa’s wrath.
Eighteen homes close to the river banks were uprooted and washed away while 14 were ravaged but remain standing.
Only five of Cogea’s 37 homes were spared and now provide shelter for homeless men, women and children.
Their most urgent need is clean clothes, bedding and food.
One of those who lost all except the clothes on her back was grandmother, Silina Tinai.
“I lost everything I had and I’m still in shock,” the 68-year-old said.
Ms Tinai, a single mum of three and grandmother, lost her house under similar circumstances during a flood that swept through Cogea Village in 1980.
Her eldest twins were two-yearold during that first flood.
“Losing my home twice to floodwaters is a painful experience but I’m happy my life was spared both times.”
This newspaper spoke to five women whose homes were washed away by storm surges whipped up by STC Yasa.
They said the strength and intensity of the cyclone was like reliving scenes from a horror flick.
“At daybreak, when the first rays of sun revealed the village ruins, women huddled together and started to weep,” Miriama Ditamusu said.
“It was like a funeral. Seeing that everything we owned and had worked hard for gone, just broke our hearts. It was so heartbreaking.”
Amelie Tivitivi said STC Yasa was the worst natural disaster she had ever came across.
“The floodwaters rose so fast,” she said.
“All I could save was the clothes I was wearing. Everything else I had was destroyed.”
Miriama Marama said when floodwaters entered the church which villagers were using as an evacuation centre, everyone sought refuge in her house.
“The house was full and inundated with water,” she said.
“Adults stood in ankle-deep water for hours waiting for the raging winds to stop.
“Despite the exhaustion of being up all night, villagers held their 4am morning devotion while standing in the cold water.”
The super storm raged for up to eight hours before moving on.
As Cogea villagers pick up the pieces of what the Category 5 cyclone has left in its trail, the women believe they have a huge role to play in the recovery process.
“Women are naturally compassionate, so much of the rehabilitation that we will do, will depend on our participation,” Ms Tinai said.
“We’ve lost most of the things we had but we still have our spirit of unity and goodwill. That will carry us through.”
Banuve Kasaya believes love will help them survive in the aftermath of the crisis.
“What we’ve built over many years has been taken away from us,” the 52-year-old said.
“While we regret that, we must still thank God for his providence and love.
“Nobody was injured and no life was lost. That’s a blessing in itself.”
Assistance in terms of clothes have started to trickle in from neighbouring Daria and Nakorotiki.
Villagers are now eating root crops left behind after the cyclone.
While hunger remains a reality for the people of Cogea in the coming weeks they live in hope that the help that will arrive soon will sustain them for the weeks and months that lie ahead.