Storm-hit Fiji declares state of emergency

By Malakai Veisamasama

Reuters
Monday, January 12, 2009; 7:48 AM

SUVA (Reuters) – Fiji declared a state of emergency and curfews after severe storms and flooding struck the Pacific island nation, killing eight people and forcing thousands to evacuate homes, officials said on Monday.

The floodwaters hit over the weekend along the west coast of Fiji's main island of Viti Levu and although they were receding on Monday, some areas remained inaccessible.

“I had just finished eating and heard shouts outside, next thing I know I was thrown out of our house and buried in mud and rubble,” said landslide survivor Verenaisi Rokobale, 24.

Rokobale told the Fiji Times website that she only survived the Sunday landslide in her town of Lololo because a passerby saw her hand sticking out from the mud and debris.

Weather officials warned the South Pacific nation that another low depression, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, was heading toward the Fiji island group.

“Widespread flooding, including severe flooding of major rivers and streams, is expected on Wednesday and Thursday,” Director of Meteorology Rajendra Prasad said in a weather briefing.

Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who declared a state of emergency at the weekend, said the government was doing all it could to help people affected by the worst deluge to hit the islands in a decade.

“(My) heart goes out to those people who have suffered losses,” Bainimarama said.

Under the state of emergency, curfews were imposed in Ba, Nadi and Sigatoka towns.

“It is basically to safeguard lives and property. We want to prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of the flood hit areas,” Minister of Defense and National Security Ratu Epeli told the Fijilive website on Monday.

SWEPT AWAY

Rescue teams plucked people to safety from rooftops as floodwaters, up to 3 meters (10 ft) deep, struck some areas.

“It was really frightening. We watched as the doors of our homes were forced open by the water,” Vetaia Dokonivalu in the town of Ba told local media. “We saw our belongings being swept out of the houses.”

A total of 6,060 people have sought refuge at 114 evacuation centers, said the National Disaster Management Office, confirming the number of displaced which was earlier reported to be 9,000.

“We are providing meals to those in the centers we have on our list. For those who come after that, we give them biscuits, milk and other dry stock,” said Joeli Rokovada, commissioner of Fiji's western district.

Health officials warned floodwater victims to be wary of diseases such as diarrhea and typhoid.

“People need to collect as much rainwater as possible and drink as much of this as possible. The other option is to boil the water,” said health official Dr Isimeli Tukana.

“Watch out for food from supermarkets especially from the towns of Ba, Nadi, Sigatoka and Rakiraki. Our health inspectors will be doing their rounds as soon as the water goes down,” Tukana said.

Hundreds of foreign tourists had been stranded in resorts, with flights disrupted in some airports and roads shut.

“A lot of the restaurants are shut. They've run out of food,” New Zealand tourist Nigel Lagdon told TVNZ television.

The flooding washed away bridges and roads and swamped the business districts of several towns.

The flooding covers Fiji's main sugarcane-producing region.

The Fiji Retailers Association said the floods had caused millions of dollars of damages to the business community.

“Retailers have reported more than 90 percent damage and loss in stock in Ba and Nadi. There are quite a few who have a total write off of all the assets,” said association president Himmat Lodhia.

(Writing by Michael Perry; Editing by Sugita Katyal)

Well there doesn't seem to be any shortage of disasters in this general area.

Not looking good.

How'd you find Phil? Was it on your Pijin spree?

U.S. Department of State released the following Travel Alert on January 15:

This Travel Alert is being issued to warn U.S. citizens traveling to the Republic of the Fiji Islands that torrential rains have created widespread flooding in low-lying areas throughout Fiji.  This Travel Alert expires January 30, 2009.

Many roads were closed, and most of those that have reopened are damaged.  Flooding has disrupted electricity, water, and landline telephone communications in some of the most severely affected areas.  A State of Emergency has been declared in the Western District, which includes the tourist center of Nadi. Thousands of local residents have been moved to evacuation centers.  Although most hotels report they are operating normally, travelers should check with the resorts where they will be staying to determine if guests are encountering problems.

More rainfall is predicted for the Fiji island group.  Updated weather information is available at: http://www.met.gov.fj.  American citizens also are encouraged to review the Department of State Travel Alert concerning the November through April cyclone season that affects the islands of the South Pacific, at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4405.html.

American citizens considering travel to Fiji are urged to register with the Department of State through the travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy in Suva to contact them in case of emergency.

The Embassy is located at 31 Loftus Street in Suva.  The Embassy's American Citizen Services Unit can be reached by phone at (679) 331-4466 and by e-mail at consularsuva@state.gov.

Updated information on travel and security in Fiji may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Fiji, which is available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov

Thanks for sharing the link Marty.

Update on Fiji:

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=44587

Posted at 02:02 on 04 February, 2009 UTC

Diseases spread in Fiji after flooding

Radio New Zealand Hundreds of people are suffering from water-borne illnesses in Fiji after the recent devastating flooding.

The flood waters mostly receded two weeks ago.

However, there is stagnant water in low lying areas, old water tanks and tyres, which are a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria beginning to cause illnesses.

The chief medical officer in the Northern division, Dr Pablo Romakin, says people have been badly affected, especially in the Labasa area.

“Since after the flooding we have seen more than 100 cases of viral illness, about 81 cases of diarrhoea, 117 cases of skin lesions, six cases of typhoid fever and one confirmed and one suspected case of leptospirosis. Dengue fever, we have a total of 86 cases.”

Dr Pablo Romakin says community awareness programmes are being run and pesticides are being sprayed to kill the mosquitoes.

The Western and Central Division are experiencing similar problems.

This is harsh.

FYI the desalination capacity of Lorna Jan would be able to provide fresh drinking water for just under 1000 people per day. Unfortunately we aren't there yet!