Flooding has occurred in parts of Samoa due to a heavy downpour on Thursday, causing damage to homes and infrastructure. The island of Savaii has been particularly affected, with roads submerged by overflowing water, reports of damaged roads and bridges, power outages, and school closures.
According to reports from the Samoa Meteorology Division, the rain and flooding have subsided, and they are still closely monitoring the weather system. Updates from land transport authorities on the condition of roads and bridges are being received.
The capital city of Apia and most parts of Upolu, is only experiencing significant amount of moisture in the area with possible heavy downpours over the next 24 hours.
The severe weather has also disrupted the inter-island ferry service between Upolu and Savaii. The Samoa Shipping Corporation Limited reported delays in its services between Salelologa and Mulifanua due to the poor weather conditions.
According to the latest weather update from the Samoa Meteorological Division, an active convergence zone is present in the region, leading to heavy rainfall and flooding on Savaii Island. The statement also warns of poor visibility, foggy and slippery roads, pooling near roadsides and waterways, and possible landslides in prone areas. Gusty winds are expected intermittently.
Despite some improvements in the weather conditions, Samoa is still facing challenges from the recent heavy rain and flooding. Authorities and relevant agencies continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of the affected areas and provide necessary assistance.
Work on repairing the damaged pipeline in Saipipi, due to the strength of the floodwaters today, has commenced. The Water Authority is currently assessing the extent of the damage and coordinating the efforts to swiftly restore the water supply. Please be patient as they work diligently to resolve this water service disruption.