Family Supported After Waterspout Strikes Naibale village.

On January 9, 2026, an unexpected waterspout came ashore and completely destroyed a family home in Naibale Village, Korolevu, Sigatoka. Empower Pacific responded without delay, offering immediate Psychological First Aid (PFA) support to help the affected family cope with the trauma.

On Saturday morning, the Empower Pacific team of counsellors and support staff, accompanied by the Assistant District Officer West, Mereisi Rukuwale, visited the family in Naibale. During the visit, the team provided Psychological First Aid and distributed dignity kits to support the family’s immediate needs.

Desmond Dass, who lives in the destroyed home with his family, shared the traumatic experience they endured when the waterspout moved inland later on Friday.

“This is the first time we have experienced anything like this. We have seen waterspouts at sea before, but we never expected one to move inland,” Dass said.

He explained that everything happened very quickly, with the waterspout approaching their front yard and causing extensive damage to their home.

“We used loose iron sheets to make loud noises in an attempt to chase the waterspout away,” he added.

In some coastal cultures, including Fiji and Papua New Guinea, beating drums or metal objects during a waterspout is a traditional or superstitious practice believed to scare away or divert the phenomenon. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this belief, as sound vibrations do not influence weather events such as waterspouts.

Empower Pacific counsellor Vika Bete also spoke with other family members, who reported witnessing three waterspouts in total. The first was small and passed without impact. The second came close to shore but weakened and dissipated. The third, however, intensified and moved directly toward the mainland.

Kalisito Cawicavu, who spoke with counsellor Vika, said that as the waterspout approached, the family shouted warnings for everyone to move uphill toward the mountains for safety.

“When the waterspout came closer inland, I remembered my father’s words—that whenever something like this happens, I should not fear, but beat the tin and not panic,” Cawicavu shared.

Following the incident, the Empower Pacific team provided Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), creating a safe space for the family to share their experience, process their emotions, and receive reassurance.

The family was deeply grateful to Empower Pacific for reaching out so quickly after the incident and offering much-needed support. With heartfelt thanks for this rapid response, they plan to remain connected as they work through their recovery journey.

Empower Pacific is committed to rapid disaster response, helping communities rebuild stronger after crises, and nurturing the mental health and emotional wellbeing of people who have experienced devastating events.