Lelata residents urgent call for help on impact of flooding

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 23 FEBRUARY 2022: The residents of Lelata are begging for urgent assistance on the impact of an additional river-path of the Vaisigano River that has posed danger to lives and destroyed their properties during severe weather such as the current conditions.

In December 2020, the Vaisigano River burst its banks and created a new river path cutting close to the homes of residents in Lelata and Magiagi villages.

The whole of Lelata as well as riverside families in Magiagi were flooded and covered in mud and debris during the flash flood similar to what occurred in the vicinity of Lelata last week.

Seve Noa Seve, a 51-year-old resident of Lelata is tired of cleaning their home every time when flash floods hit and damages their properties.

‘’We haven’t been affected badly so far this year, as it’s just the small floods getting on our front yards and mudding the whole area but who knows, the weather is getting worse each day and we have seen the worst in the past years and can happen again,’’ he said.

Last week, some Lelata families evacuated to higher grounds when flooding struck again as police officers and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Disaster Management Organisation officers evacuated the residents.

Vaisigano river about to burst its banks and caused flooding last week.

Seve as well as other residents of Lelata and Magiagi are questioning when the planned Vaisigano water catchment retaining concrete walls will be built as they urgently need such assistance for their safety and protection.

‘’We need something like that to stop the flooding and we’ve been having so many consultations about it and we haven’t heard anything if that is happening soon; as we are tired of cleaning let alone the fear and danger posed by the flash floods,’’ Seve said.

The National Emergency Operations Committee -NEOC issued a special broadcast last week to inform families of the severe weather conditions and urged families to move to safer grounds.

Facilities such as gymnasiums at Tuanaimato and other facilities were opened for the public affected to stay in when several areas were heavily impacted by the bad weather and flash floods.

The Samoa Meteorological Division issued heavy rain and flood warnings and advisories this evening for all vulnerable areas.

An active convergence zone which lies over the Samoa group may prolong the deteriorating weather inducing scattered rain with periods of heavy falls associated gusty winds and possible flooding over vulnerable locations.

Potential Impacts: Heavy downpours with poor visibility and gusty winds, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, pooling near roadsides and waterways. River overflows and possible landslides.