The expected increased rainfall this year, as a result of La Nina, is of concern as flooding is bound to happen, says Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources Jone Usamate.
While launching the World Tsunami Awareness Day in Labasa yesterday, Mr Usamate said they had been informed about the expected increased rainfall during this cyclone season.
“The biggest concern is the amount of rainfall and during La Nina season there are more rain which means more water and flooding,” he said.
“So this cyclone season is not just about the wind but flooding and we need to be ready.
“We also need to be ready for any tsunami event and know what to do.
“For this year’s World Tsunami Awareness Day, it aims to encourage the development of national and community-level, local disaster risk reduction strategies to save more lives against disasters.”
Small Island states such as Fiji, Mr Usamate said, was increasingly vulnerable to tsunami risks.
“Rapid urbanisation and growing tourism in tsunami-prone regions are putting more people in harm’s way,” he said.
“It is critical to reduce risk which could achieve sustainable reduction in disaster mortality.
“Government through the Department of Mineral Resources conducts awareness meetings in all of our coastal communities as a part of Fiji’s early warning system. These are to ensure that the national strategies target saving lives and reduce disruption to public services.”
Mr Usamate said, as a nation, we should invest more in infrastructure that was “built to last” so that lives are saved.
