The Fiji Times edition of March 31, 1979, carried a story of how villagers of Vabea on Kadavu survived the wrath of Cyclone Meli.
It was reported that Serafina Sekirewa held her three-year-old son, Asesela Waqaniono, who was covered by rubble and a dead body for a night and a day inside the Catholic Church at Vabea after the cyclone.
Serafina’s husband, Sowani Natui, was one of 20 casualties brought to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital by Turtle Airways.
Two of their children, Jovilisi Sirisio and Lui Natui, were among the 21 people who died in the church.
There were 12 others from Vabea and nine from Waisomo Village who died.
The turaganikoro of Vabea Village, Biau Tubukoso Verenakadavu, said 12 people from the village and nine from Waisomo Village were struck dead by falling structures in the church where they sought shelter.
He said after all the houses were damaged from the strong winds, most of the villagers ran to the Catholic Church for shelter.
He said the strongest gusts of wind of about 110 knots blew over the two villages between midday on the Tuesday and 1am the follwoing day.
When one section of the church collapsed, the villagers fled to another side where there was a small door.
The people tried to get out but the falling roof trapped them.
He said they cried for help but the other villagers were too weak to assist them.
Ratu Sikeli Loaloa, 67, one of the few uninjured in Waisomo Village, rescued a few of them, including 10-year-old girl Silina Lewacoki. Silina’s legs were stuck in the rubble.
Waisomo Village headman Iokimi Qelevuki said about midnight on Tuesday, he brought his family to the Methodist church for shelter.
The church was smashed down by strong winds and debris and he carried three children to the Catholic church.
He said his wife, Sereani, had just given birth to a daughter, Vaseva Cagilabalevu, the Saturday before.
Mr Iokimi said among those who died was a nine-month pregnant woman, Vani Naituki.
She died with her four other children, Io Naituki (10), Koto (7), Siriako (5) and Cama (2).
Mr Verenakadavu said on the day after the cyclone, villagers were living on a tin of biscuits and a bag of rice, the only remaining items at the village shop.
Two days later, a few of the uninjured men went out to the vegetable farm to collect the remains of produce and hunted for pigs and hens.
Kavala Bay’s Dr Vula Vakacegu arrived at the village and treated the injured.
A few of the villagers escaped injury.
The rest had head injuries, broken legs and bruises all over their bodies.
