Newly installed flood early warning systems will assist affected residents in Ba Province - Ditoka

Newly installed flood early warning systems will assist affected residents in Ba Province - Ditoka

By Alipate Narawa
Wednesday 01/11/2023
Minister for Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka

New flood early warning systems have been tested in the Ba Province.

Minister for Disaster Management, Sakiasi Ditoka says thanks to a funding support of $1 million from the National Disaster Management Research Institute (NDMI) of Korea, the NDMO was officially handed over the “Construction of Forecasting and Warning System for Disaster Risk Reduction in Fiji” Project which saw the installation of flood early warning systems, encompassing 4 rainfall stations, 7 water level stations, and 6 warning posts in vulnerable communities located within the Ba Province catchment area.

He says one significant challenge faced in the past was the absence of a flood early warning system at the community level.

Ditoka says this often led to people being stranded in their homes during flooding events or taking risks to reach safe areas.

He says the lack of such a system puts the lives of first responders at risk, particularly during evacuation or search and rescue operations.

The Minister says this newly installed flood early warning systems will address this challenge by providing the community with its own early warning system.

He adds they also plan to extend this project to other divisions, especially those residing in flood-prone areas.

Meanwhile the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has confirmed a pre-arranged funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) of upto US$2 million if specific pre-agreed triggers for unusual tropical cyclones occur in Fiji.

Ditoka says Fiji is the first country in the region to initiate a pilot program for anticipatory action in collaboration with the UN.

Ditoka says this program is designed to prevent and mitigate the immediate impact of forecasted unusual tropical cyclones in Fiji.

He says the primary goal of this project is to assess the feasibility of anticipatory action in Fiji and work towards establishing it as a regular operational approach in the country.

The Minister says the Fiji Cluster System has made significant efforts to put this support mechanism in place.

He says the anticipatory action framework was developed and approved during the National Disaster Management Council meeting in August.

FEATURE NEWS
Kiran defends Fiji delegation’s efforts at COP29 amid criticism from Charan Jeath Singh
Assistant Minister for Women Sashi Kiran has highlighted the commitment and tenacity of the Fijian delegation and has paid tribute to those who have s...
22 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Bail extended for $296,000 LTA scam duo
The Lautoka Magistrates Court has extended the bail for the couple who were allegedly involved in a $296,000 taxi permit scam. Land Transport ...
8 minutes ago

World agrees to US$300b as financial aid for developing countries affected by climate change
The world has agreed to a new climate deal at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan with wealthy countries pledging to provide US$300 billion annually by 2035 ...
2 hours ago

Tabuya chairs final day of Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference, urges for gender equality
Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya is urging for sustained efforts toward achieving gender equality and in promoting ...
2 hours ago

Island nations walk out of COP29 talks
As negotiators representing several island nations temporarily walked out of the COP29 climate summit last night, amid tense discussions over funding ...
5 hours ago

WWE Network to shut down and move to Netflix from January 2025
The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Network Support has announced that they will be shutting down and moving to Netflix, which will be their new ...
6 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
9 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
9 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
16 days ago

TOP