Lautoka mother urges residents to be cyclone-ready

A Lautoka mother says floodwaters have now receded at her home, and she is urging families across Fiji to be better prepared during cyclone season after a frightening ordeal this morning.

Volaivuna Nabai, who lives with her three children at Pickering Place, told fijivillage News that her family initially did not think the approaching TC Vaianu would have a major impact.

Nabai shared that when they first found out that the cyclone was on its way, they did not think much of it and assumed it would not hit them.

She says it wasn't until her husband, who is a sailor, was called in to work and told to bring a change of clothes, as they would be taking boats to Vitogo for shelter.

Nabai says she had woken up at 5 this morning to her son warning her that rain was seeping into their room. 

At the same time, Nabai says her extended family in Lovu were also struggling, as water began seeping into their home.

She says their area is currently experiencing a power outage, adding to the hardship faced by her family.

She is now urging others to be better prepared during the cyclone season, stressing that conditions can change rapidly and catch families off guard.