By Staff Writer
Flooding looms as the main worry for the Disaster Advisory Committee after going over the official weather outlook for the 2022-2023 wet season last week.
Heads of Government Ministries and State Owned Enterprises form the advisory committee membership or DAC.
The advisory body held a closed meeting during the week to consider contingency plans for cyclones, flooding, or other emergencies during the November to April period.
Cyclones are common during the time, and it is always the biggest safety worry for the country.
Samoa has so far been spared any serious wind damages in the last three years.
“There is a chance for one cyclone in our weather outlook for the period, it is three years in a row now since we have remained in the La Nina pattern,” MNRE Chief Executive Officer Lealaisalanoa Frances Brown-Reupena explained.
“We have been spared so far any cyclones within this rare La Nina period, which is a blessing.”
Flooding is, however, the major concern for the MNRE boss.
It was the general rection shared by all the other DAC members after an official briefing of the weather outlook from the Meteorology Division at the meeting.
Urban flooding is one of the main worries in vulnerable areas of the Apia township.
Road flooding is common in sections of the road at Taufusi, Saleufi, Fugalei and out along the west side of Apia at Pesega and onwards.
Villages along the Vaisigano River are forced with higher water levels whenever there is an overflow usually during heavy rains in the mountains.
“Flash flooding is usually one to be on the lookout for because it happens unexpectedly and we had one in early 2021,” CEO Lealaisalanoa observed.
‘Luckily, clearing work was carried out in the riverbeds to smooth out the water flow the river ran out smoothly when flooded.”
DAC attention at the start of the wet season is on how to respond effectively with relief actions in times of emergencies.
Ear marking suitable evacuation centres is one example of what to be orgnised as a first response priority.
The Nation University of Samoa campus at Le Papaigalagala and ADRA organised facilities were used as evacuation centres in past weather related emergencies.
The MNRE Disaster Management Office, DMO, is largely responsible for co-ordinating all emergency relief actions involving the various Government Ministries and SOEs.