Villagers of Tarukua on Cicia island believe that their Coastal Defence project which began 10 years ago helped to mitigate the impact of Tropical Cyclone Yasa on them.

Village headman, Vukicea Tamanilo said while the December 17 cyclone did not spare their agricultural produce, the coconut trees planted along the shoreline sheltered them from the storm surges.

“We had seen in the past that whenever there is a cyclone, the state of our village would be greatly affected,” he said.

“So the youths started planting coconut trees along the beach as a barrier.

“If it wasn’t for this, damages would have been worse and there would be nothing that we could do.

“Right now our crops are destroyed and it would take about a week’s ration before it is all gone.

“We are thankful for NDMO relief supplies that will be able to sustain us for a few more weeks.”

The village has a population of 133 and 30 homes to which a few were partially damaged.

On December 17

Meanwhile, Sera Bolatini ran for safety to the village school with her husband, five children and two grandchildren when Tropical Cyclone Yasa struck.

“I have never seen anything like it before and the only thing on my mind was my family’s safety,” she said.

“It was on Thursday morning when the cyclone approached our village and already sheets of tin roofing were flying everywhere,” she said.

Ms Bolatini said water from the sea had started to infiltrate to the centre of their village.

“Even though, our farms have been destroyed and our homes partially damaged, I’m thankful no one got hurt,” she said.

From the five villages on Cicia Island in Lau, Tarukua Village was the most affected during Tropical Cyclone Yasa.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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