‘People should have stocked-up for this and should not be totally dependent if they move to evacuation centres’

Fijians must brace themselves to face Tropical Cyclone Ula, says National Disaster Management Office director Akapusi Tuifagalele.

He made the warning during a press conference at the NDMO in Suva yesterday. He said the two tropical disturbances currently affecting the country were Tropical Depression 7F and Tropical Cyclone Ula.

He said it was important that people understood the difference between the two.

“At the moment, we are feeling that Tropical Depression 7F is leaving us slowly and Tropical Cyclone Ula will be coming in,” Mr Tuifagalele said.

“Nothing has been planned at the moment on food and water supply being provided on the ground. We expect people moving into the evacuation centres to take their food with them to last a few days, but we have not come to that yet.

“We have done our normal awareness programmes for this kind of situation and they should be prepared and not be totally dependent on us. They should have stocked up their food rations; cut down trees near their homes, clear all blocked drains and other preventive measures,” he said.

Mr Tuifagalele said with heavy rain more than enough water should now be available and the dry spell broken.

“Our team on the ground will make the assessment and confirm this.

He said the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces and Fiji Police Force had been alerted on the current weather conditions.

“We will continue to provide awareness to the public on the current weather conditions through the media,” he said.

Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

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