OCHA Situation Report
Fiji: Floods
15 February 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

National Emergency Operation Centre
(Level 1, Regional House, 1 Knolly Street, Suva)
Incident/Event: Flood Western Division
SITREP No.: 07/07
1.0 Weather Situation

Weather Bulletin issued form the National Weather Forecasting Center 
Nadi at 3.30pm Thursday the 15th of February 2007 a trough of low 
pressure with associated cloud and rain over the northeastern parts of 
Fiji is moving southwest. Associated cloud and rain are spreading over 
the group from the north

Forecast to midnight tomorrow for the Fiji Group, Rain, heavy at times 
with thunderstorms about Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Lau and Lomaiviti group. 
Flooding of low-lying areas likely.

Elsewhere, mostly fine except for showers likely developing overnight 
with moderate west to southwest winds.

The Forecast for the Northern Division Labasa, Savusavu and Rotuma, is 
cloudy, with rain heavy at times and squally thunderstorms.

As for the Marine Weather Bulletin there is no strong wind warning 
issued for the Fiji waters.

2.0 Situation Report on the Ground 8.00am ? 4.30pm

Efforts were made today to contact all Ministries for update on Western 
Division flood situation as there is no situation report updates receive 
from the Commissioner Western Office. The following Ministries and 
organisations provide some update

1. Ministry of Public Works Department

2. Ministry of Agriculture

3. Ministry of Health

4. TELECOM Lautoka

5. Fiji Sugar Corporation

6. Nadi Town Council

7. Nadi Chamber of Commerce.

3.0 Damage Assessment on Roads:

Report on current status of roads affected by flood was sought from the 
Divisional Engineer Western through telephone conversation this morning.

According to the Divisional Engineer Western all roads that were 
affected by flood are now open to all traffic accept the Irish Crossing 
at Balevuto Road in Ba.

The Irish bridge was totally washed away by the flood affecting lives of 
cane farming communities that use the bridge to travel to Ba town.

Until to date the PWD cannot carry out any construction work as they 
wait for the water to recede.

The PWD is assessing the cost of constructing a new bridge.

3.1 Damage Assessment on Nadi Town.

Our conversation today with the Nadi Town Clerk revealed that Town 
Engineers are currently conducting their own detail damage assessment on 
roads and bridges that falls within the council jurisdiction. Assessment 
on goods that market vendor's loss in flood is also assessed.

A copy of the Council damaged assessment report will be forwarded to 
NDMO.

3.2 Damaged Assessment on Business Community in Nadi

The damage assessment on the business sector affected by the flood in 
Nadi is currently progressing. The Mayor of Nadi informed during our 
conversation that business community were greatly affected by their 
communication means, as telephone, faxes, and email were not walking due 
cable fault as floodwater damage the underground cable.

The communication is fully restored by Telecom Technicians and business 
operates normal beginning from today.

A final report on damage assessment on business community will be 
forward to NDMO.

3.3 Fiji Sugar Corporation

The FSC field officers in the areas affected by the flood are already 
conducting damaged assessment on sugarcane crops destroyed by the flood. 
The reports will be available as from next week Monday.

3.4 Telecom Fiji Limited

Telecom Fiji Limited Manager Corporation Communication and External 
Affair based at Lautoka was contacted by phone to provide updates on 
restoration work carried out on damage done to their infrastructure.

According to the Manager Corporation restoration work is well underway 
and TFL technicians are working diligently in the Western Division that 
have been affected by the recent flood.

Tavua

Technicians are working to restore services in Kavika and Lomaloma areas 
by tomorrow morning.

Kennedy Avenue and Navakai in Nadi

Restoration works are continuing and service will be fully restored by 
the end of the week, customers are advised they may face intermittent 
disruptions to services while works are in progress.

Sigatoka Areas

In Sigatoka areas telecommunication services to and from Bilalevu and 
Valley road areas have been disrupted and restoration works will begin 
once the Bilalevu mini exchange is accessible as some parts of the road 
to the exchange is still underwater.

Northern Division

For the Northern Division, Technicians have completed restoration works 
at Malau, Soasoa, Oneva, Delaikoro and Labasa Exchange.

3.5 Ministry of Agriculture, Sugar and Land Resettlement.

According to the Principal Agriculture Officer Western, the agricultural 
field officers in the areas affected by flood are now conducting damage 
assessment on crops. The field agriculture officers also assess ways to 
speed recovery process by supplying planting materials to the affected 
farmers.

The complete report will be forwarded to the Commissioner Officer 
Western.

3.6 Education

The Education officer Western confirmed by phone that all schools have 
resumed classes expect the Nadi Primary School Kindergarten

4.0 Evacuation Centre

All evacuation centres in Nadi have closed.

5.0 Health

5.1 A team of Health Headquarters officials visit the Operation Centre 
midday today to discuss on the preventative measures that the Government 
should embark on in response to the anticipated health risk associated 
with emergencies on hand - flooding.

5.1.2 Ministry of Health will conduct a vigorous media campaign 
targeting the North and Western division.

5.1.3 A major concern will be the secondary hazards that these 
emergencies may trigger.

5.1.4 Importantly the NDMO may have to assist the Ministry of Health in 
terms of finance to support this media campaign.

5.2 Northern Health Services Situation Report No. 8 dated 14/2/07

Director Northern Health Services reports highlights the following:

5.2.1 Vector Control will be carried out in 4 phases:

1. Survey and assessment phase of affected areas.

2. Dump site spraying with phenol ? this will be done weather permitting

3. Mosquito larvicide management ? this will be done for stagnant pools 
of water as well as for blocked drain but will only be done if no 
further rain falls.

4. Spraying of identified areas as being at high risk for dengue.

Tentative schedule for activities: 14 ? 19 February

5.2.3 Food safety will now be based on checks within Supermarkets and 
outlying shops for food safety and quality.

5.2.4 School visits to be undertaken to remaining schools.

5.2.5 Disease Control: active management of a diarrhoeal Breakdown will 
be conducted after a report of an outbreak in Nabouono village, Udu, 
Macuata.

6.0 Community Response: Donations

Two organisations Fiji Coffee and Good Neighbour donations were received 
at midday today.

Items received from Good Neighbour include;

9 bales and 9 boxes of clothes

1 box of shoes.

Two individual called the office yesterday to lend assistance to the 
communities affected by flood and they are;

1. Mr. Penioni Salababa, Phone No: 9923070 - item: Clothes and Toys

2. Laijipai Naulivou, USP, Donation from Katalina Balawanilotu, Los 
Angelos will email Director NDMO regarding other arrangements on flood 
relief items.

The donations received from the two organisations mentioned above will 
be sent to Savusavu through the Catholic Church.

The District Officer Savusavu will be contacted for the distribution of 
the items.

7.0 Media

The Fiji Television One crew conduct live interview today with the 
Director of National Disaster Management Office on the past flood events 
that affected the Northern and Western divisions.

8.0 Issuing of Food Ration ?Labasa Flood Victims

The Commissioner Northern Division was issued the approval to provide 
food ration for the 1,000+ affected people in Vaturova.

Fax on Ration Distribution lists was forward to NDMO from Division EOC 
Northern with additional requirement for fuel costs to facilitate 
delivery.

Director NDMO spoke with Commissioner Northern this morning 15/02/07 to 
disregard the fax and for Commissioner Northern Division to use the 
figures in terms of ration and transport costs that was sent by NDMO.

9.0 Assistance

The Fiji Red Cross Society officials are on stand by to distribute 
clothing and liaise with the divisional/district EOCs on distribution. 
ADRA Fiji has approached NDMO with its offer of assistance.

The FRANZ group, UNOCHA and the local UN Disaster Management Team 
(UNDMT) have offered their assistance and are on stand-by to support the 
local effort. SOPAC has also pledged support and to assist where 
appropriate.

The Latter Day Saints (LDS) had also offered their assistance and are 
ready to support in any way possible. (Contact person Mili ? Fax 
3301883).

10.0 OVERALL OBSERVATION AND RECOMMENDATION

Based on the latest satellite pictures (VIS) at noon today there are 
some active rain cloud band located to the North of Fiji. The rain cloud 
band is associated with the trough of low pressure stated in the 3.30pm 
weather bulletin.

The rain band together with the trough of low pressure is moving 
southwest and the Northern and North Eastern Parts is forecast to have 
rain and thunderstorm.

The forecast also indicate that Flooding of low areas is expected and 
therefore it is important that NDMO continue to monitor the development 
of the current weather system.

We have issued a Public Advisory to all media organisation about the 
current unfavourable weather situation that is likely to cause flood.

11.0 APPENDICES:

- Weather Bulletin Thursday , 15/2/07
- Latest FST GMS IR Satellite Picture, 5.30pm, 15/2/07
- Marine Forecasts.

Viliame Tuimanu

for Director, National Disaster Management Office

Distribution

Office of the Prime Minister
Minister for Fijian Affairs & Provincial Development
Adviser Fijian Affairs & Provincial Development
Deputy Secretary for Provincial Development
Commissioner Western Division
Director National Disaster Management
Director Development Section
Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Immigration, 2nd Floor New Wing,
Government Building, Suva

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