Villagers describe the surge of the cyclone

SAVUSAVU – Villagers of Nukubalavu village in Savusavu, Fiji, have told how they watched in awe as waves broke and headed towards shore, growing to great heights as they drew closer to land.

From the village lawn, a distance of about 200 metres from shore, the village youths watched the waves, about seven metres high, thump against coconut trees, gushed onto the lawn covering most of the village green, uprooting houses by the shoreline.

Village headman Lino Rokowaqa said the loose houses were sailing through the village like big boats out in the sea.

“That day the cyclone came, was so terrifying. All the villagers were in the Catholic church taking shelter and the waves whacked the windows and cracked it,” he said.

“Water came into the church and we had to move to the hall in higher ground where some villagers were already.

“So all the men came and we took the children and women to the hall with the water level to our waist. It was a scary evening for us.”

Rokowaqa, who had informed the villagers about the cyclone and asked them to get prepared, said the 61 families of the village were all affected.

“At 10am, the wind strength started picking up and waves were getting stronger.

“The villagers watched the strength of Severe TC Winston damage properties for five hours.

“And it never died out. The winds and waves remained strong throughout the five hours.”

Tui Nasavusavu, Ratu Golea Lovodua described how his house was uprooted by a strong surge from the sea: “I watched the waves pull out our family house and it rode on the waters like Noah’s Ark.”

- Fiji Times/PNC