Nadi resident recounts ordeal as cyclone rips off roof

A 33‑year‑old man is counting his losses after Tropical Cyclone Vaianu ripped the roof off his home in Mulomulo, Nadi, on Tuesday afternoon.

Moses Reuben said he was sitting on his porch around 4pm, using his phone, when strong winds and heavy rain suddenly intensified.

“I heard a loud bang and then I ran into one room,” he said.

“Debris blocked me in. It all happened so fast. I thought the wall was being pulled, but it was actually the roof.”

He was alone at the time. “It all happened so fast.”

Mr Reuben, who is originally from Namosau in Ba, has lived in the corrugated‑iron and timber house for the past four years. He said he had never experienced anything like it before.

Despite the worsening weather conditions and the absence of a nearby evacuation centre, he said he remained safe.

He had prepared emergency supplies, including a torch, batteries, candles, canned food and bottled water.

His community in Mulomulo and along Nausori High Land Road remained without power yesterday.