VILLAGERS of Yacata in Cakaudrove have taken shelter at their village hall and church as they take heed of the weather warnings issued from the Nadi Meteorological Service yesterday.
Village headman Peni Qusa said he had advised villagers to take shelter at the church and the village hall if the path of the cyclone changed for the worse.
Mr Qusa said there were a total of 220 people in the village, adding the village was badly affected during Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016.
“We heard the news about Cyclone Gita over the radio and without wasting time families have started taking their belongings to the village hall and some at the church as it will be our evacuation centre if Cyclone Gita crosses our path,” he said.
Mr Qusa said he had advised villagers to move before dark.
“We could feel strong wind during the day without any rain and it does not look good,” he said.
“I have given out advice for villagers to move because sometimes the wind direction changes and it’s better to be ready than late.”
Mr Qusa said he had advised parents to monitor their children’s whereabouts in the village.
“We have given a strict warning throughout the village and we have advised parents to look out for their children and to make sure that none of them are out at sea because the wind is quite strong and we also noticed that the dark clouds have quickly formed and we’ll be expecting rain any time soon,” he said.
“Most of us have put up hurricane shutters, stored water and food and we even have lovo food ready.”
