3 February 2012 The United Nations disaster risk reduction
agency stressed today the need to boost preventive measures in
Fiji, as heavy rains are predicted to occur more frequently in
the archipelago nation, which has been ravaged by severe floods
over the past week. A 15-day state of emergency has been
declared in Fiji’s west coast areas, and a flood watch is
currently in place as more rains are expected to hit the
country. Population in vulnerable areas have been advised to
evacuate. “These types of events are likely to continue to
occur,” said Angelika Planitz, sub-regional coordinator for the
Pacific for the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
(UNISDR). “Scientists are exploring the evidence that climate
change and developments in low-lying flood-prone areas such as
Nadi and Ba are contributing factors. In the interim, improved
preparedness and early warning, two important elements of
disaster risk reduction, will have to remain important and
urgent priorities.” According to UNISDR, eight pe