700 plus evacuees in Western shelters, ration drinking water

Evacuees sheltering at Lovu Sangam Primary School in Lautoka are rationing water amid an inadequate supply at the evacuation centre.

“The major concern we are facing right now is drinking water. There is no water supply at the evacuation centre,” Lovu resident Maria Kalara said yesterday.

“We are rationing water.”

Divisional planning officer West Elimi Rokoduru confirmed yesterday that 27 evacuation centres had been active since midnight Wednesday — four in Ba, five in Lautoka, 11 in Nadi and seven in Nadroga-Navosa.

Mr Rokoduru said 701 evacuees were sheltering across the 27 centres in the Western Division.

The most occupied centre is St Andrews Primary School in Nadi, housing 34 households and 157 evacuees.

“One of the issues at the moment for the authorities is accessibility. We do not yet know the extent of damage to infrastructure,” Mr Rokoduru said.

Non-food items have been distributed to evacuees.

Meanwhile, 12 of the 50 families from Reliance Road, Lovu Seaside in Lautoka are sheltering at the school after their homes were inundated by heavy rain and high tide.

“We left because the water level rose quickly on Sunday afternoon. When the high tide came, water entered our homes; we had no choice but to evacuate,” Ms Kalara, 34, said.

Families used boats and canoes to move essential items before police assisted them to safety.

Unaisi Tinaicakau, 50, said they were grateful for support from authorities and aid agencies.

Members of the public can contact 9984038 in case of emergency.