PM Bainimarama’s Statement on the Current Weather Conditions

Bula Vinaka.

From early yesterday afternoon, a slow-moving trough of low pressure has been dumping heavy rains across the country. Yesterday, the National Disaster Management Office issued heavy rain and flash flood warnings –– and through this morning we have seen dangerous flooding, including in Rakiraki Village in Yale, Kadavu.

Unfortunately, these rains arrive on the heels of Cyclone Harold. Our soil is already saturated and unstable, making the risk of landslides extremely high. Please, do not congregate or seek shelter in buildings beneath steeply sloped areas. In the event of a landslide, contact the Mineral Resources Department or the NDMO on number 915 before making any attempt to clear the slip.

I want to strongly reiterate those warnings to every Fijian watching –– these rains, and the resulting flooding, can kill. Do not swim in rivers or streams, or risk crossing the rapids.

All too often, we see Fijians –– particularly children –– drown in these conditions. These aren’t the same waters you’re used to crossing, so don’t treat them the same way you do on any ordinary day. They are unpredictable, they can carry heavy debris, and they are deadly. Flood alerts remain in force for the Ba River, Korovou Town River, Waimanu River and Bagata Catchment in Vanua Levu.

A strong wind and rough sea warning remains in force for Southern Lau, the Southern Koro Sea and the Kadavu Passage –– do not attempt travel by sea in these regions. Keep your boats moored until authorities advise it is safe to get back on the water.

If you feel unsafe where you are, move to an evacuation centre. These centres will be run and maintained in the same safe and hygienic fashion we saw during Cyclone Harold.

The following roads have been closed in Naqali due to flooding:

• from Nabukaluka Delailasakau to Waisomo Crossing;
• from Vatulili Road to Waidradra Crossing;
• from Navulokani Road to Waiwatu and Waisa Crossing; and
• from Savu Road to Muaniweni flats near Shat-nikatan Primary School

In Navua, the following roads in are restricted to 4 Wheel Drive only:

• Vunaniu Road;
• Waiyanitu Road; and
• Namaqumaqua Road.

I ask parents to please strictly supervise your children. Don’t allow them to play in this rainy weather; even if they avoid the dangers of flooding, the waters can carry disease. Given the recent, post-cyclone rise in LTDD cases –– Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dengue, and Diarrhoea –– all Fijians need to take this threat seriously. Wet conditions will serve as a breeding ground for these life-threatening ailments.

Our disaster authorities have just completed the first phase of operations in response to Cyclone Harold –– with the last vessel returning from immediate response deployment this very morning. With these rains upon us, there will be no rest of the weary –– our frontline disaster response teams will be closely monitoring the movements of the general public and providing vital information to Fijians in heavily impacted areas. Please, help them keep us all safe by strictly adhering to every word of their advice and directives.

We may not be facing another cyclone –– but as we’ve tragically seen before, heavy rains can cost lives all the same. Stay safe and stay diligent, Fiji.

Thank you.