Cyclone Mona Update: All Eyes on Tropical Cyclone Mona, Key Services Gear Up
Fiji’s main humanitarian organisation, the Red Cross Society, has been activated in light of on Tropical Cyclone Mona and started its programme of preparing relief items for those who will need them.
The organisation, which is tasked with providing emergency assistance, disaster relief and disaster preparedness education, says it is ready to help people who will be affected during and after the cyclone.
Operations Manager Eseroma Ledua said Red Cross was taking heed of all the warnings given by Fiji Meteorological Office and preparing accordingly. He advised everyone to stock all food in the house and people should not wait for a later date.
“I encourage people to follow all updates on the weather and be in safe areas. Family preparedness is important as well,” he said.
Businesses prepare
Business operators in Labasa have begun preparations as Tropical Cyclone Mona approaches Vanua Levu.
Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Satish Kumar said they advised everyone in Labasa to be prepared and move items in the shops to higher shelves.
“Some shops have already put shutters and moved items in the bulk to higher places,” Mr Kumar said.
“We should not take weather warnings lightly because it has been made very clear by the Fiji Meteorological Office that TC Mona will pass through Labasa on Sunday morning (tomorrow).
Chartered vessels
Tour and transfer firms at Denarau, Nadi, are keeping a close eye on Tropical Cyclone Mona as it nears the Fiji Group.
Director of Excitor and Thunder Jet Angie Nair said, “At the moment we are not in operation, but we are still monitoring the weather”.
“If there are any weather alerts for Viti Levu then we will surely dock all the vessels at the shipping yard.
“We have to respect the advice from the authorities and the weather Office because
we do not want to end up like the incident that happened to the seven people who are still missing at sea.”
Fiji Police Force
The Fiji Police Force in the Northern Division is on standby and urges the general public to take necessary precautions as two tropical depressions merged and formed into Tropical Cyclone Mona.
Divisional Police Commander (DPC) Northern Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Eparama Waqa said a flood warning remained in force for all low-lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to major rivers of Vanua Levu.
“We are advising residents and villagers living near these rivers and streams to be watchful and be prepared,” SSP Waqa said.
“We are expecting the bad weather to continue until the weekend and we urge the public, pedestrians and motorists to be extra vigilant.”
There was one landslide in Savusavu and a few areas were flooded in Urata in Savusavu on January 2.
Edited by Epineri Vula
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