Tropical Cyclone Yasa Destroys Crops Replanted After Harold Recovery

Ketei villagers in Totoya, Lau, watched helplessly as strong winds and rain from Tropical Cyclone Yasa uprooted their crops in broad daylight.

It was only in April that Tropical Cyclone Harold did the same and it was those crops they worked hard to replant that were now destroyed by another natural disaster.

Ketei Village headman, Uludole Yanuyanulala said they were just recovering from the April ordeal and were looking forward to harvesting their crops for the festive season.

“But when TC Yasa hit, it destroyed everything we worked hard for and there is nothing we can do but assess the damages and rebuild whatever we can,” he said

With a population of 132 people, two homes from the 31 homes were destroyed and a few partially damaged.

“The owners of the two homes are in Suva and despite the damages, no one was hurt,” Mr Yanuyanulala said.

“We had a storm surge, strong winds and rain that started at around 6am and ended around 6pm.”

Damaged crops after Tropical Cyclone Yasa in Lau. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga

As immediate relief arrived from the National Disaster and Management Office (NDMO), Mr Yanuyanulala said a cyclone-proof evacuation centre was needed to protect their small population from future catastrophe.

In Tovu Village one vacant home was completely destroyed and five sustained damages.

Village headman, Lorima Tupou said the storm surge entered their village.

He said in order mitigate the risk from future natural disasters they would need to build a better seawall.

“Even though, there was not much home damage, our agriculture was much affected and we hope that these food rations will last us at least a month before things get back to normal,” Mr Tupou added.

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