Water supply disrupted; weather warnings remain

By James Robertson 19 December 2020, 12:00AM

A day after Samoa was hit with extreme flash flooding, widespread water supply disruptions struck more than two dozen villages, while the threat of further bad weather remained on the horizon. 

Water supply problems began late last night and residents from dozens of villages remained disconnected and awaiting emergency supplies on Saturday morning. 

The Samoa Water Authority (S.W.A.) advised that those dealing with disruptions were advised to contact the Authority for the delivery of emergency water on 212267 or 8421267.

While yesterday’s floodwaters had receded, businesses across the Apia town centre, which were yesterday cut off by an inland sea of floodwater, started to reopen on Saturday morning.

Many were dealing with the after-effects of flood damage and cleaning out their premises. 

On Friday afternoon, the National Emergency Operations Centre declined to estimate the amount of flood damage that had been wrought as a result of Friday’s flash flooding but said the damages bill could run into the millions. 

Meanwhile, the latest advice from the Samoa Meteorological Service as at 9am on Saturday morning showed that the weather front responsible for Friday’s flash floods continued to move slowly over the country and pose a risk of further rain and flooding. 

“The active convergence zone to the West with embedded heavy downpours, thunderstorms and gusts winds remains slow moving over Samoa,” a statement from the MET Office said.

“Periods of rain with heavy falls and thunderstorms as well as gusty winds are expected to affect [the] Samoa Island group.” 

Forecasters warned that combined waves and swells of more than four metres were expected to impact coastal to open waters, a combination likely to produce “very rough seas and high surf”.

Flood, wind, heavy rain warnings remained in effect for the entire country.

The effects of the predicted weather activity included poor visibility, gusty winds, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges and pooling near roadsides. 

The following villages were listed by the S.W.A. as being affected by interruptions to water supplies. 

  • Alamagoto
  • Vaimoso
  • Ululoloa
  • Saina
  • Vailoa
  • Malololelei
  • Fausaga
  • Aai o Fiti
  • Alafua
  • Siusega
  • Vaitele Uta
  • Tulaele
  • Tafitoala
  • Moamoa
  • Se'ese'e
  • Tafaigata
  • Vaitele Tai
  • Talimatau
  • Vaitele Uta
  • Vaitele Fou
  • Sinamoga
  • Tuaefu
  • Toamua
  • Vaigaga
  • Tuanaimato
  • Fusi
  • Leulumoega Tuai






By James Robertson 19 December 2020, 12:00AM

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