Plans are in place to install more tsunami warning sirens along the Queens Road, as part of Fiji’s disaster risk management, benefitting residents along the Lami-Lautoka corridor.
Director Disaster Management Vasiti Soko said the 25 sirens to be installed along the Lami-Lautoka corridor next year, is made possible with support from Japan.
Speaking in Labasa on World Tsunami Awareness Day celebrated annually on Thursday 5 November, Soko said the initiative aligns with the Fijian Government’s commitment to ensure the country is in a state of readiness should any tsunami event occur.
“We’ve yet to install tsunami sirens in Labasa,” Soko said. “This is part of our long-term plan which we’ll eventually do after we install the 25 tsunami sirens.
Soko was in Labasa yesterday where she linked up with the staff of Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources based there to mark world tsunami day. In Suva, tsunami siren tests were carried out between 1pm and 2pm.
“World Tsunami Awareness Day is critical. It is one of the awareness campaigns done in collaboration with the Seismology Unit of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources,” Soko said. “At NDMO we advocate and inform the public about the importance of self-evacuation; adhering to warnings and signs and ensuring that everyone knows their quickest evacuation route and safe assembly zones in the event of tsunami.”
This year’s event focused on Global Target E of the Sendai Framework, which encourages countries and communities to have national and local disaster risk reduction strategies in place to save more lives against disasters.
There are 13 tsunami sirens currently in place, Water Authority of Fiji (Kinoya Sewerage Plant), FINTEL (Vatuwaqa), RFMF Officers Training School (Vatuwaqa), USP Statham, USP Lower campus, USP Main campus, My Suva Park, Government Training Centre (Nasese), iTaukei Trust Fund Board, SCC Civic Car park Rooftop, Biosecurity, Renown street (Suva Central), Government Shipping Services (Walu Bay), and Lami town.
