COMMENTS made by the general public about the lack of intensity in weather reports and flood warnings has the Fiji Meteorological Service open to alternative methods of getting the message across.
Director of Meteorology Alipate Waqaicelua said a lot of negative comments on the language used to announce warnings were aired on broadcast radio and in the print media and he welcomed any suggestions that would get warnings clearly across to the populace.
His comments came as the Fiji Meteorological Service received scathing criticism in the media about the lack of warning on the intensity and swift currents borne by floodwaters early on March 30.
"I would like to clear the air about one aspect of our warning system," he said.
"The Fiji Meteorological Service cannot issue warnings or talk about flooding of rivers and streams until the Water Authority of Fiji's Hydrology Department gives us the go ahead."
"In regards to the language used in warnings, we welcome comments from anyone on what we should use."
"If there's any other terminology that's available that can better capture the imagination, we will consider it if it helps us better inform people about impending disasters," he said.