This The Season To Be Jolly But Also The Season To Prepare

This the season to be jolly but this also the season to also prepare.

Over the past few weeks, much of the Central Division, which is always prone to rains has been basking in the sun.

But over the weekend, sudden heavy rains followed by flash flooding was seen in part of the Suva all the way to Serua.

The same can be said for the West and the Northern divisions.

With the weather forecasts coming out of the Fiji Meteorological Service, one can never be too complacent in this festive season.

In July this year, Fiji Met acting principal climatologist, Bipen Prakash, urged climate-sensitive sectors and water managers to take heed of the weather patterns.

He cautioned that they needed to take appropriate mitigation action.

Closing in on Christmas, many parts of the country, over the weekend faced continuous rains.

The weather forecast issued last night highlighted an active trough of low pressure lies slow moving over the northern and eastern parts of Fiji.

“Associated cloud and rain are expected to affect the northern division and eastern parts of the country till the next few days,” FijiMet Said.

For today, there will be occasional rain, heavy at times, and a few thunderstorms over Lau and Lomaiviti groups and Northern Division, Eastern parts of Viti Levu (Serua-Namosi-Navua-Suva-Nausori-Tailevu), Beqa and Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

Occasional showers and isolated thunderstorms over southern Viti Levu (Sigatoka-Korolevu), Kadavu, and nearby smaller islands.

Elsewhere, partly cloudy periods with isolated showers and isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorms. Isolated heavy falls are expected.

Localised heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low-lying areas.

Moderate to fresh east to northeast winds, gusty at times Rough seas.

For the rest of the week, occasional thunderstorms and localised heavy rainfalls are on the agenda.

It is these kinds of forecasts that should prompt one to celebrate on the side of caution.

Whether you’re a business person with assets to protect, in agriculture with farms to protect, or have a family and home, ask yourself: Am I prepared for this cyclone season?

Yesterday, parts of the Queens Highway were partially flooded although there was no need to close it.

In the North, Commissioner Norther Uraia Rainima said: “We have had numerous emergency operations and advised people living in flood-prone areas on what they should and should not do.

“We have even advised farmers living in flood-prone areas to be prepared if their crops get damaged by flash floods.”

As for Police operations, Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACP) Livai Driu is calling on everyone to adhere to the advisory.

As you gear up for your exciting festivities and make plans to travel and visit family and friends, like stakeholders above, we urge you to celebrate on the side of caution and be updated with the latest weather patterns to avoid future losses.

Feedback: ranobab@fijisun.com.fj