We are trying very hard to work on the required response for the next two to three days so that we can restore things back to normal: Disaster Management Office

There are now a total of 21 evacuation centres that are sheltering 1041 evacuees in the Western Division.

This was confirmed by the Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) director, Anare Leweniqila, while speaking to the Fiji Sun.

He said they were now exploring options like church halls for the evacuees as they needed them to clear the schools.

“The evacuees need to be temporarily sheltered there while we slowly try and get everybody back to their respective homes,” he said.

Saint Andrews Primary School and Nawaka District School are still being used as evacuation centres. He said some people were still using other schools designated as evacuation centres to sleep in, since their homes were still not in good condition.

“We are trying very hard to work on the required response for the next two to three days so that we can restore things back to normal and also to ensure that we can start normal school classes which is very important,” he said.

Mr Leweniqila added that they are using mechanised equipment to clear debris, especially tree branches, which are their biggest problem so far.

He said there are also teams ready and on standby in the North while they monitor the weather since heavy rain warning is being advised.

He added that they have been restricting movements for certain hours in the night since water rises especially during high tide.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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