Votua Village school and Church in the background - Photo: Fr Patrick Colgan
For the past number of months, threat of floods and/or hurricanes has been talked of in the local media, and a number of false alarms came and went. However, the second half of December marked a seriousness in the government warnings, and we began to notice the signs of extra-hot and -calm days, sea birds in places where they normally aren’t, and then a definite pick up in wind. Schools were ordered closed on Friday 11th December, and we were told to prepare for a Category 5 super typhoon called Yasa. There was widespread panic in Ba, because we had been so devastated by a similar TC5 ‘Winston’ in 2016, and we were told we were in the direct path for landfall. However, the pandits were wrong, and the province of Bua in Vanua Levu took the brunt instead. We were able to have a reasonably normal (if wet) Christmas, and sent two trips of foodstuff, clothes and money to the Caritas Fiji office in Suva for distribution to those affected in the North.
Bridge to Navala village completely washed away - Photo: Fr Patrick Colgan
2021 then rung in, and we were once again warned of an impending hurricane, called Ana. She began life as a Tropical Depression and Ba was ‘in the direct line’. We closed schools, offices and suspended Masses again. This time, the big effect for us was flooding. The town is situated around the Ba River, a lowlying muddy estuary, which meets the sea at our villages of Votua and Nawaqarua.
Fr Pat Colgan walking to Votua - Photo: Fr Patrick Colgan
The playing fields of our St Teresa’s Primary School were inundated, and so was the Parish Flea Market, on the other side of Elevuka Creek. Votua Catholic School (2nd floor) once again became an evacuation centre for many families. I was able to get there only yesterday (1st Feb), taking long detours because of 2 fallen electricity poles, and walking the last half mile by foot to the village. To my surprise and relief, Votua looked clean and reasonably dry, though they will be without electricity for many days. The situation in our major hill village of Navala is worse. After 70 years, their concrete bridge was swept away, and until the government finds the money to fix it, we will have to wade, swim or sit in a tyre, guided over by the villagers, in order to say Mass there.
Our parish hall has now twice hosted ‘climate evacuees’ (during Yasa, 67 people for 3 days, during Ana, 10 people for 4 days).
St Teresa’s School playing field, Ba. - Photo: Fr Patrick Colgan
We feel for our fellow Columban parishioners in Labasa, Vanua Levu, who have suffered much worse than us in these last 2 weather patterns. It seems this truly is the “new normal” for mission in Fiji (at least for the 6 rainy months of every year). May God help us to face it with our people.
Columban Fr Patrick Colgan is the Parish Priest of Christ the King Parish - Ba
Ba Parish Flea Market. - Photo: Fr Patrick Colgan
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