Huge clean-up underway in Fiji following cyclone

Published in Radio New Zealand, 6:52 pm on 3 February 2021

The huge clean up has started in Fiji following the recent cyclone, but thousands of Fijians are still in evacuation centres.

Tropical Cyclone Ana went through Fiji and left behind a trail of damage to fragile settlements, properties and livestock.

RNZ Pacific correspondent Lice Movono said the flooding and rain activity recently is one of the biggest rainfalls the country has experienced.

Ms Movono said Fijians have become quite resilient and despite the intensity of the flooding, people were able to transition into repair mode quickly.

“The morning after when flood waters recede, it’s business as usual, so immediately after the water levels went down, people were cleaning up the streets, cleaning up their homes and those who could have gone back… I’m waiting for NDMO to update us on just how many people are still left in evacuation centres.”

The government has also cautioned Fijians to be aware of waterborne diseases following the recent flooding due to Tropical Cyclone Ana.

Lice Movono describes the recent rain activity as one of the biggest rainfalls ever, causing flooding that was widespread and affected the whole country.

She said the government’s message to everyone has been focused on waterborne diseases.

“In the past 48 hours there has been reinforcement and medical teams are now going out to the rural areas just to make sure that peoples’ awareness levels have increased, but also to treat the inevitable diseases that will come immediately after the cyclone,” she said.

Earlier the NDMO had issued warnings for people to stay away from the water.

“We are in the midst of a cyclone with widespread flooding throughout the country, yet we continue to receive reports of members of the public, adults and children alike wandering around,” said NDMO Director Vasiti Soko.

Rewa River burst its banks during Cyclone AnaRewa River burst its banks during Cyclone Ana Photo: Fiji Roads Authority
The biggest concern for Fijian authorities seemed to be the floodwaters and burst rivers.

Lice Movono said many areas of the island had been inundated.

“This storm had been a Tropical Depression for a long time before it finally developed into a cyclone so it brought quite a lot of rainbands with it and so that had been concentrated in the interior parts of the island.

“We got a lot of flooding and a lot of damage from the flooding well before the cyclone even came into Fijian waters.”

A second cyclone is expected to hit Fiji’s main islands in the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Bina formed to the northwest of the country and its centre is forecast to go between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

It is expected to remain a category 1 system.

Bina on track to cross FijiBina on track to cross Fiji Photo: Fiji Meteorological Service
In the Coral Sea, Tropical Cyclone Lucas is moving as a category 2 system eastwards south of Solomon Islands.

Forecasters expected the Cyclone to reach New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands by Wednesday.