Do not sit and be complacent waiting for the cyclone to hit, always prepare for the worst case scenario.

Speaking during a Fiji Media Watch workshop in Labasa last week, the National Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change officer Northern, Jiutasa Waqavonovono, said people should never wait for the cyclone to hit, but take precautionary measures.

“The question is, are you ready for another big disaster? Do not sit down and be complacent, waiting for the cyclone to hit,” Mr Waqavonovono said.

“The climatic model, looking at the disaster chart for the year, has been indicating that three more cyclones are predicted to hit the country.

“The highest would be a category three cyclone, so do not be complacent when you hear cyclone threats going around the Fiji group. Take necessary steps to ensure your safety.”

He said people’s ignorance was one of the reasons why communities were not prepared for Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Mr Waqavonovono said while most people blamed the Nadi Meteorological Station for their lack of preparation, the station had been issuing warning long before Cyclone Winston struck.

“If you hear there is a threat being detected in Vanuatu or Rotuma, you tend to think it is far away. As we have been trying to say that it can come back.

“Cyclone Evan had gone past Fiji, and returned, TC Winston came from Vanuatu, went past Fiji, to Tonga before it entered the Fiji Waters again.”

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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