Fiji drought showing signs of easing

Transcript

Fiji's National Disaster Management Office says a drought that has gripped parts of the country is showing signs of easing.

After coming close to declaring a state of disaster in some parts, recent rainfall has allayed fears as reservoirs have filled, however the difficulties are not over yet.

The NDMO's Director, Manasa Tagicakibau told Sophie Leggett the current challenge is to provide enough water to rural areas, which rely on rain to build their underground water stores.

MANASA TAGICAKIBAU:  The rainfall of the last few days most of the reservoirs have filled up to capacity level but the challenge is the provision of water to our rural and maritime areas. These are the areas that rely on storage water, rain water or underground water like bore holes these are the people still affected by the prolonged dry season.

SOPHIE LEGGETT: What effect is the drought having on those people in rural areas.

MT:  Is is not the drought, it is only a meteorological drought, it is still the dry season in Fiji, then we are looking at the possibility of the el nino settling in. However because of the dry season and being without a little rain for last three months, some of the water sources in the rural areas have really gone below the required levels and some have really dried up.  They are still putting in their demands and we are responding to it by carting water to this area.

SL:  What's steps were being taken to avoid it becoming a state of national disaster.

MT:  After receiving the information from the field and all the relevant sector, we have not really reached that stage    
where we can call it or declare it a disaster.  We have enough water to cart around and we are looking at how best to put together our resources in terms of carting water to the areas that need it most.

SL:  What sort of industries have been affected by the lack of rain.

MT:  The agricultural sector are also feeling the impact but they have also strategies on how they can mitigate the hazard.

SL:  What's the situation been like for the rest of the country.

MT:   Our western side is usually the dry side of the country is feeling the heavy impact of the dry season and we are providing them with the necessary resources.