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Northern Division activates Emergency Operations Centre

Countries
Fiji
Sources
Govt. Fiji
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The Office of the Commissioner Northern has activated the Emergency Operations Centre in response to the movement of Tropical Cyclone Pam close to the Fiji Group.

The Acting Divisional Commissioner Northern Alipate Bolalevu has called on all government and business stakeholders to be on alert and to take the necessary precautionary measures. He said all heads of departments based in the North have been briefed on the current weather situation and advised on the measures that need to be taken.

“We want to be better prepared and want to coordinate an effective, efficient and timely response from the government to the people,” Mr Bolalevu said.

He highlighted that their priority focus now is to protect human lives and ensure that the necessary measures are implemented to avoid or minimise damage to infrastructure. He added that they will play a role in disseminating information for the immediate restoration of infrastructure and government essentials and services that may be affected.

“We want to be better prepared to provide disaster relief assistance, by now people living in low lying areas must know which evacuation to go and what to do.”

“We are expecting more rain on Thursday and flash flooding in low lying areas. What we are also concerned about is the high tide that can causes flooding in Labasa,” said Mr Boalevu. He pointed out that last night, all District Office and Provincial Administrators have been on standby and monitoring the weather and advising their various districts.

“We have the police force, military, navy all on standby and the agriculture department is alerting the farmers,” said Mr Bolalevu.

He added that Emergency Operation Centre is located at Macuata House and can be contacted on 8811322.