People now taking shelter at Vunisei District School in Kadavu

People are now taking shelter at Vunisei District School in Kadavu as strong winds and heavy rain affects the island.

One of the workers residing there is Aiyaz Dean Mohammed and he says about 8 people are taking shelter in one room and they have already seen rooftops of two houses blown away. 

Mohammed says he is not sure if people were in those houses.

The Provincial Administrator Kadavu will be giving a report to the National Disaster Management Office on the way for forward for villages located near Mount Washington due to the risk of landslides occurring when Tropical Cyclone Sarai moves closer to the island.

The villages at risk are Nabukelevu, Qali-ira, Daviqele, Lomati and Talaulia.

In November this year, there were landslides on Mount Washington, following a 5.3 magnitude earthquake.

The Kadavu Emergency Operation Centre is fully operational and also monitoring the situation.

There has been a restriction of movement on the island.

The Eastern Division Emergency Operation Centre is now on a 12-hour shift to closely track and monitor all movements in the Maritime islands.

There are strong winds, rough seas, and low visibility at the moment in Kadavu.

The total rainfall since 6 o’clock last night in Kadavu was 167.9mm.