Kadavu Provincial Administrator and officials warn nearby villages to avoid landslide areas of Mt Washington

The Kadavu Provincial Administrator and his officials are on the ground advising nearby villages and communities to avoid the landslide areas of Mount Washington in Kadavu and refrain from going out diving until further advise is issued by the National Disaster Management Office.

This has been confirmed by the Acting Commissioner Eastern, Inoke Tuiwainunu.

NDMO says the continuous seismic activity experienced in Kadavu since Sunday is currently being monitored by NDMO, the Mineral Resources Department and the Commissioner Eastern Division officials through the Provincial Administrator Kadavu.

Fijivillage has also received on the ground reports of aftershocks being felt by villagers in the area up until this morning.

Acting Director NDMO, Litiana Bainimarama says the safety of villagers and communities nearby is paramount and they will work closely with the Mineral Resources Department to assess the situation on the ground.

Mineral Resources Department Principal Technical Officer, Sakaraia Vunisa confirms they have been receiving reports of explosion-like noises and tremors through the media but will have to verify whether its happening throughout the island of Kadavu or only within the vicinity of Mt Washington.

Vunisa says it is best to get the actual assessment before a way forward is explored.

The Eliki Memorial School management has decided to close the school as they can see dust from the mountain.

Eliki Memorial School Head Teacher, Josua Rasoki says he closed the school from Monday for safety precautions and also because of the water pipes for the school was damaged during the earthquake. 

Rasoki says they have felt tremors up until 7 o'clock this morning and this is a risk for students as it is the closest school to the mountain.

He says some parents in the village of Talaulia have taken their children to villages in Yawe because it is a flat land area.