‘Hellish’ Whirlwind Destroys Family Home
“My wife and I had to avoid being injured by sharp objects."
Friday 11 July 2025 | 03:00
Setariki Matanidaku, with wife Nina Taiviu at the ruins of their home at Sarava, Labasa on March 19, 2025.
Photo: Sampras Anand.
A strong whirlwind in Sarava, Labasa, has left a family of five clinging to the remains of what used to be their humble home.
Sugarcane farmer, Setariki Matanidaku said they were fortunate that no one was killed or injured.
The incident occurred on Monday at 4pm during a heavy downpour, which the family described as the first of its kind.
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Mr Matanidaku said the roof and side walls of the house were uprooted, with most of the furniture destroyed and food supplies barely enough to sustain the family.
The three-bedroom house was reduced to ruins, and the family is now praying for their next meal, uncertain of when they will be able to return home.
What happened
The 45-year-old man shared how he and his wife sought shelter by a concrete wall to survive the whirlwind.
“My wife and I had to sit near a concrete wall to protect ourselves from the wind and avoid being injured by sharp objects,” he said.
The father of three said he was lucky that his children were not caught in the storm, as they were all in school at the time.
He described the sound of the whirlwind as “hellish.”
Mr Matanidaku said the whirlwind came from the sugarcane farm and struck the side of the house, uprooting the roof and scattering items.
“The heavy rain drenched all our clothes and food, leaving us with only a few dry clothes,” he said.
When this masthead visited yesterday, the couple was drying their clothes and figuring out their next move.
Mr Matanidaku is the sole provider for his family, he relies on his weekly income to meet their needs.
“I don’t have any money left to rebuild and require assistance from non-Government organisations and Government to help,” he said.
“To the Government, we are your citizens and we need help to restart our lives again.
“We need building materials like roofing iron, timber to rebuild the house.”
The family is currently sheltered at their relatives place a few hundred metres from their battered home.
For assistance, the family can be contacted via mobile phone on 8445710.
Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
