Atalifo assures PM that nothing significant or severe is forecasted for Fiji

Nothing significant or severe is forecasted for Fiji.

This was revealed by the Acting Director of Meteorological Services, Terry Atalifo, while briefing Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on the current weather situation and the Government’s response to the recent flash flooding event in flood-prone and low-lying areas of Ba.

Atalifo also clarified that recent flash flooding incidents in the Western Division were a result of poor drainage, and the affected areas had been identified as “flood-prone” communities.

Fiji NDMO Director Vasiti Soko confirmed to the briefing that while minimal damage was recorded in the aftermath of the floods in the West, there was only one recorded casualty associated with the heavy rain forecasted for the Fiji Group last week.

Soko also informed the Prime Minister that divisional teams were already on standby for worst-case scenarios, and prepositioning of Non-Food Items (NFIs) and key strategic assets have also been completed.

She also highlighted to the forum that with heavy rain recorded in the last couple of days, the NDMO and teams from the relevant agencies are closely monitoring the possible risks of landslides occurring.

Commissioner Western Division Apolosi Lewaqai assured the forum that Government teams were on standby and Heads of Departments (HODs) of various Government agencies have been frequently meeting to discuss how best they can work together to assist affected communities within the division.

Fiji Roads Authority CEO Kamal Prasad confirmed that while minimal damage was recorded in the Western Division, their main concern was unsealed roads, especially with most already heavily saturated, as a result of heavy rain in the past few days.

Prasad also assured the forum that FRA would work towards ensuring that all maintenance of damaged roads would be completed before the start of the new school year.

The briefing was also attended by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka, Assistant Minister Jovesa Vocea, Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Salaseini Daunabuna, the Divisional Commissioners, and representatives from the relevant agencies of Government.