When Tropical Cyclone Joni struck Fiji in 1992, many Fijians were caught off-guard as the cyclone rampaged mostly through the Western part of Viti Levu and other neighbouring islands.
A report in The Fiji Times on December 11 that year noted that hotels in the area were the most affected. Tourists were evacuated from their bure at Beachcomber Island as Cyclone Joni ripped into the Yasawas and islands off Western Viti Levu.
At least 70 Australians took shelter in the staff community hall as 80-knots wind struck. Hotel staff said water entered the resort’s front office that night and that heavier floodwaters were expected. “Most of the tourist were frightened because this was their first time to experience tropical cyclone,” a hotel staff said.
“We moved them to the hall where were being looked after.” A spokesman for Treasure Island Resort said the island was experiencing high seas and strong winds at around 7.30 pm. “A little later after that it started to become more dangerous,” she said.
There were 33 Australian tourist on Treasure Island. At Tavarau, about 15 kilometers from Lautoka, 120 people were moved to Tavarau Bharatiya School at midday as strong winds started to pick up.
Evacuation centres were set up at schools in Lautoka for those living in Navutu and Nasowata area. Radio reports from Yasawa told of sheets of roofing iron being blown away by strong winds. The radio operator on Nacula Island said villagers were moved to the village community hall before midday.
The island was hit with winds of about 80 knots. Divisional National Emergency Services officials said no reports of damages were received by them from the Mamanucas and the Yasawas after Joni had passed.
However, Lautoka City was plunged into darkness at about 6.30pm that night as power lines broke from fallen branches. Flooding was reported in Drasa, Naqoro, Rakiraki, Nayavu and Wainibuka. The level of water rising in the Ba river had started to become what was feared to be a flash flood.
At 10pm that night, Joni had passed over the western area of Viti Levu, but people were still advised to be prepared as it could not be predicted if the cyclone would change direction. It was expected to lie close to Kadavu at 6 am the next day.
However, a cyclone warning was still out for the Fiji group, from Tavua to Navua. Acting director of Meterology Rajendra Prasad said Joni had started to drift off from the Western side of Viti Levu, but was still expected to affect neighbouring islands.
He said it was difficult to predict the movement of Joni because of the lack of equipment at the Nadi National Weather Forecasting Centre. Air travel was also affected throughout the week as multiple airlines had postponed flights for the next two days.
