An unexpected powerful torrential downpour on Monday night caught many Navua residents off-guard — as the deluge overwhelmed waterways and immobilised both people and public transportation.
As buses failed to show up because of flooded roads, worried and anxious parents and students took to social media to find out if schools were opened.
With no information forthcoming from either the media outlets or the Ministry of Education, some parents scrambled to get their kids to school as their Year 12 pupils were due to sit their external exams yesterday.
Low-lying areas were inundated with flood waters, and the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) also declared several roads in Navua closed as authorities waited for the deluge to subside.
A landslide near Nakorovou also caused an accident.
It is believed Rampur College was one of the first schools to close with students who enquired informed ahead of time.
Social media was inundated with flood pictures in several communities and there was also a deluge of commentary on Government’s response time.
Questions were also asked of the status of the rural advisory positions which remain vacant for several months now.
A statement confirming the closure of Navua schools was released by the Ministry of Education at about 9am yesterday.
By this time, parents were already wading waters and making arrangements to ensure their children reached schools in time for their paper.
Among them was resident Kafoa Danford, who along with her husband William Rock Danford, transported 10 students via a boat to sit for their English paper at Vashist Muni College.
The Danfords own River Tubing Fiji and made the decision to pick classmates of their daughter, Helen.
Mrs Danford said the parents of children they helped get to school were worried, however, they were also thankful that transport was offered and some came to see their children off at their boat ramp.
“My husband and I thought to look for all her classmates in the Raiwaqa Alta areas to pick them in our company bus and bring them to our river base,” she said.
“We managed to pick 10 children and take them to Navua in our company boat. We made sure they were safe and handed the children life jackets. The kids took their school uniforms in garbage bags and went and changed into their school uniforms at a teacher’s house.
“They were served breakfast as well whilst they waited for their English paper at 11am. I then got a call from the school to ask if the kids could be taken back by boat to their respective homes as they didn’t need to sit for their paper.”
Mrs Danford said they were informed the students would be awarded through the assessment marks from previous tests.
“We are very thankful as we know majority of children weren’t able to travel to school.”
Yesterday, Education Ministry permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca said upon advice from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), schools from Rampur College to Nakavu were closed.
“In being consistent with our other students who have not been able to sit external examinations this year, compassionate assessments will be applied as necessary,” a statement from the ministry said.
The ministry also urged all heads of schools to exercise caution and ensure that the safety of children “is paramount at all times”.
Meanwhile, the weather office has forecasted more rain in the coming days as a trough of low pressure lies slow moving over the Fiji Group.
Members of the public can expect occasional heavy at times and thunderstorms over Eastern Viti Levu, including Serua, Namosi, Suva, Nausori, Naitasiri, Tailevu North, Rakiraki, and outer islands of Beqa, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti.
Mariners are also advised to exercise caution when out at sea.
