In
response to the many inquiries we have been receiving about
"Cyclone Winston" the category 5 Fijian cyclone of February, 2016, and its devastating impact on Adi Da Samrajashram, the sacred island of Naitauba, we have created this
special presentation. Links where you can help or find further information
are provided below. The full extent of the devastation on Naitauba is still being determined. We will be adding more to this presentation as it is becomes available. Please share this page with anyone you know who may be moved to help!
Cyclone Winston makes landfall at Taveuni, Fiji, shortly after striking Adi Da Samrajashram, February 20, 2016
Cyclone Winston makes landfall at Taveuni, Fiji, shortly after striking Adi Da Samrajashram, February 20, 2016
(click image to enlarge)
Tropical cyclone Winston making landfall on Taveuni, Fiji, shortly after devastating Naitauba February, 20, 2016
In late February, 2016, an immensely powerful and destructive
storm — Tropical Cyclone Winston — lashed the
Fijian islands for several days (especially the outermost
islands, including Naitauba, which were passed over directly by the eye of the storm), wiping
out entire villages, and causing great devastation to
the entire country.
Tropical Cyclone Winston was a category
5 cyclone — the strongest storm ever recorded in the
entire Southern Hemisphere — with winds gusting to
nearly 200 miles per hour, creating waves up to 40 feet high. The cyclone affected almost 350,000 of the 880,000 residents of Fiji, killing at least 42 people and leaving more than 14,000 in shelters around the islands. Officials expect that death toll to rise when they're finally able to reach outlying islands that were hit hardest by the powerful storm. Most of the people who died in the cyclone were hit by flying debris or were in buildings which collapsed. Many people had been left without power, fresh water or communications. A month-long state of disaster has also been declared by the Fijian government.
The following pictures will give you some
sense of the devastation wrought by this storm to the Fijian Islands.
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
(click image to enlarge)
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
(click image to enlarge)
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
(click image to enlarge)
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
(click image to enlarge)
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
(click image to enlarge)
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
Cyclone
Winston devastates Fiji
(click image to enlarge)
Comprehensive report on the damage done to Fiji by Cyclone Winston
as of February 23, 2016
Summary of the known
damage to Naitauba — Tropical cyclone Winston
struck Naitauba on
6pm on February 19, 2016, causing great devastation. Longtime
residents of Adi Da Samrajashram confirmed that they had
experienced many cyclones on Naitauba, but had never seen
anything like the force of this cyclone. Of the 190 buildings on Naitauba, nearly 150 were damaged (nearly 80% of all the buildings). On a sliding scale between minor damage to total destruction, 21 buildings were completely destroyed, 47 were seriously damaged (losing roof cover or walls), and another 83 incurred moderate to light damage. Only 42 buildings escaped with no damage. This gives some idea of the scale of the work that needs to be done to recover, in the short term and over time. Some of the temples
and sacred places were severely damaged, including Aham
Da Asmi Sthan. Extraordinary Eyes was completely destroyed. Adi Da's "My House"
at Lion's Lap was damaged. Many building lost
all or some of their roofs. The Fijian village of Ciqomi
and the devotee village of Qaravi
were greatly damaged. Literally thousands of trees are lying across the roads. The physical impact of the storm on the reef around the island is massive, and is compounded by the intense heat that occured before and after the storm. Most of the branching corals were reduced to rubble. There are also signs of bleaching on some of the remaining coral formations. That said, there are also signs of life, and evidence that a significant amount of live coral remains. Large coral heads remain intact. Even in the rubble, there are fragments of live coral that are starting to sprout new growth. The fish populations are still present.
The next section provides more detail.
2.
Devastation to Naitauba
The sacred island of Naitauba
Devotee residents have lived through many cyclones on
Naitauba, but have never seen anything like the force
of cyclone Winston and the damage it has caused. The damage
from the storm is described as ten times worse than Cyclone
Tomas (2010), which was utterly devastating, as many of
you remember, and it took four years to fully recover
from that storm. (For more about Cyclone Tomas, click
here.)
The eye of the storm passed directly over Naitauba:
There were no injuries or deaths on the island, a Miracle
of Beloved Adi Da's Divine Grace. While devotees on the
island are in utter shock and heart-broken at the scale
of the devastation, they all continue to be strong, functional,
and turned to Adi Da, despite the devastation.
The Outshining Brightness Temple (Adi Da's Divine Mahasamadhi site) only suffered minor damage. The "Brightness" Gates were blown over, but the concrete support structure for the gates remains intact.
Adi Da giving Darshan to His devotees, in front of the gates to
the "Brightness"
November 19, 2008
The
Outshining Brightness, after the cyclone
The
Outshining Brightness, after the cyclone
(click image to enlarge)
Extraordinary Eyes, the very first Temple that Adi Da established (on the day
He came to Naitauba in 1983), has been completely destroyed.
Extraordinary
Eyes, before the cyclone
Extraordinary
Eyes, before the cyclone
(click image to enlarge)
Extraordinary
Eyes, after the cyclone
Extraordinary
Eyes, after the cyclone
(click image to enlarge)
The really heart-breaking news is that Aham Da Asmi Sthan,
the Inner Courtyard, and the Silver Hall, all suffered
significant damage. The structures and roofs held up well,
but the storm surges broke through the shutters and doors
and vents and there was significant water and storm debris
intrusion. Most of the contents are okay, but the art
suffered some damage, and there is a lot of debris that
has to be removed. The Sukra
Kendra at Aham Da Asmi Sthan suffered no damage,
since it is higher up on the hill there.
the
Inner Courtyard of Aham Da Asmi Sthan: before
the cyclone
the
Inner Courtyard of Aham Da Asmi Sthan: before the
cyclone
(click image to enlarge)
the
Inner Courtyard of Aham Da Asmi Sthan: after the
cyclone
the
Inner Courtyard of Aham Da Asmi Sthan: after the
cyclone
(click image to enlarge)
Indigo Swan and Picture Perfect are okay. It was great to hear that the newly renovated and strengthened Picture Perfect held up with no problem, confirming that the structural design was adequate even in the most severe circumstances. The roof on Indigo Swan apparently raised up in the wind, and then settled back down again, but there was some rain intrusion there also as a consequence with some books damaged.
The bures on the hillside seem fine, but one bure that was in the lawn area past Picture Perfect was lifted up and relocated by the water some 100-200 meters away.
The roof of Da Ashvamedanath Bhavan has huge holes in it, but the Sukra
Kendra there received only minor damage.
Samraj Mahal is okay, but the ground floor bathrooms and kitchen there were flooded by the storm surges with the tub there also being lifted up and relocated by the water. Upstairs was fine.
The carport was completely destroyed. Only a concrete slab remains. The remains of the carport are now up by Divine World-Teacher Mandir.
A huge number of trees (including old mangos) have been
damaged or destroyed.
It used to be all green
Devastation to the rain forest of Naitauba (aerial
view provided by the Fijian government)
Devastation
to the trees on Naitauba (aerial view provided
by the Fijian government)
Devastation
to the trees on Naitauba(aerial
view provided by the Fijian government)
(click image to enlarge)
Devastation
to the trees around the wharf. The wharf, a huge
concrete and steel structure, lost 6-7 feet at
the end, sheared off by the force of the winds.
Devastation
to the trees around the wharf. The wharf, a huge
concrete and steel structure,
lost 6-7 feet at the end, sheared off by the force
of the winds.
(click image to enlarge)
Many of the farm crops were also destroyed.
Naitauba
farms before the cyclone
Naitauba
farms before the cyclone
(click image to enlarge)
Devastation to Naitauba farm crops and trees
The roads to Lion's Lap and the Matrix are blocked by
fallen trees. It could be a week or more before they can
clear the road to the Matrix. (One person took two hours
yesterday to climb the road through the falling trees
from the Matrix to the top of the hill.)
Adi Da's new House at Lion's Lap is okay, as is the Sukra
Kendra there, but His old "My House" was damaged.
Lion's
Lap
Lion's
Lap
(click image to enlarge)
Indefinable lost its roof, but the ceiling remained, so the contents were not damaged. The entire Ashram moved all the contents yesterday to Mindless Company, after they were able to clear the path from Temple Adi Da to Joyfull Submission.
The Giver of Joy, the RSO residence in Qaravi, lost most of its roof.
No Doubt of God sustained only minor damage.
Temple Adi Da and Joyfull Submission incurred only minor damage. (A section of the roof at the old men's dorm was lost, though.)
In the devotee village, Qaravi, 3-4 residences were completely destroyed. Most
of the rest lost their roofs but the walls are still standing.
The Kitchen and the Clinic and the Stone Room are okay,
and the Dining Bure roof and floor is intact. The men's
and women's bathrooms in the village are okay, but the
solar hot water heaters were blown away and are currently
up in the trees. The island residents who lost their housing
are moving temporarily to the retreat quarters at Joyfull
Submission.
Qaravi,
after cyclone (aerial view provided by the Fijian
government).
Note how all the trees around the village are
completely stripped.
Qaravi,
after cyclone (aerial view provided by the Fijian
government).
Note how all the trees around the village are completely
stripped.
(click image to enlarge)
Qaravi,
after cyclone
Qaravi,
after cyclone
(click image to enlarge)
Hymns to Me lost its sliding doors but is otherwise okay.
Ciqomi
has been damaged. There are 3 or 4 structures still
standing at Ciqomi, and a couple more that seem likely
to be able to be fixed in a few days once access is restored.
So, the Fijian staff is sheltering in these. All the other
buildings lost their roofs, but in many cases the walls
are still standing. The Ciqomi residents have been working
together to re-build some temporary structures so that
all residents there may have at least interim shelter
and accommodations.
Ciqomi, before cyclone: aerial view of the Fijian village
Ciqomi,
after cyclone (aerial view of the village, provided
by the Fijian government).
Note how all the trees around the village are
completely stripped.
Ciqomi, after cyclone (aerial view of the village,
provided by the Fijian government).
Note how all the trees around the village are completely
stripped.
(click image to enlarge)
Ciqomi, after cyclone
Ciqomi,
after cyclone: next to the rubble that was their
house
Ciqomi, after cyclone:
next to the rubble that was their house
(click image to enlarge)
The Art Building suffered only minor damage, but the force of the cyclone was so great that they had to screw the outside door shut to prevent it from opening and put filing cabinets up against it in addition.
The Turaga Dau Loloma is on its side, presumably with major damage. The Vuli Vei (the back-up boat for the Turaga Dau Loloma) was moored at Turtle Cove and sunk in the storm in shallow water; it may be retrievable and repairable.
the Turaga Dau Loloma, just before the cyclone
the Turaga Dau Loloma, just before the cyclone
(click image to enlarge)
the
Turaga Dau Loloma, after the cyclone
the
Turaga Dau Loloma, after the cyclone
(click image to enlarge)
the
Turaga Dau Loloma, after the cyclone
the
Turaga Dau Loloma, after the cyclone
(click image to enlarge)
There is now one punt operational so devotees can get around
on water from the village to the Matrix and Lion's Lap.
Several devotees managed to reach the Matrix, walking by the beach at low tide.
On the way they met a Ciqomi resident, the captain of
the Turaga Dau Loloma, who seemed in remarkably good spirits
given what has just happened. He said that the damage
was severe at the Matrix. The damage in Ciqomi
and Qaravi was caused by the wind; but the damage at the
Matrix was clearly caused by water, both rain and storm
surges from the sea. In this regard, it was great to hear
that the newly renovated and strengthened Picture Perfect
held up with no problem, confirming that the structural
design was adequate even in the most severe circumstances.
Storm debris at the Matrix complex
Storm debris at the Matrix complex
The road to Nukusa is impassable currently, but it is a priority to open it as soon as possible. The crops at the farm are completely destroyed. (It is very important to gain access to Nukusa to restore the pumped water that serves the village and the Matrix from there, as well as to assess the damage to the rest of the boats.)
There is drinking water but the pipes are damaged, so there is no running water. Currently the water is being fetched in buckets.
The power is still off and will have to be turned on in a few days once the generator building is fixed, but we will be doing this very cautiously, because the downstream wiring is so damaged. In the meantime, we are trying to get a small generator from Ciqomi to power essentials like communications and radios. Most of the radios have lost their charges at this point, so communications within the Island are very limited. They hope to get a small generator operational tonight to at least charge the radios and satellite phones. At the Matrix, the generators are running at the power shed up the road, but the main feeder to the Matrix has been cut, probably by nearby trees being uprooted. They are still working to get the power back in Qaravi. Also, the power has been out for the last 24 hours in Suva. The situation in Fiji altogether is still obviously very fragile.
The Laundry Building lost most of its roofing.
Devotees on Naitauba have not been able to reach the neighboring island of Taveuni to check on the status of the devotees living there. (Naitauba has also been unable to get through to Suva; all communications towers must be down.)
The island is low on fresh food now, but fortunately there is plenty of stored food.
3. The path to recovery and how you can help
The path to recovery — Here are the priorities:
The first priority on Naitauba is to restore basic needs: shelter, power, communications, running water, open roads, etc. Devotees are trying to turn on the generators and restore power, but there is great concern that damaged electrical wiring in houses that have been destroyed might cause fire when the power is turned on.
The second priority is to gain access to fresh food. The residents need fresh food as soon as possible. They describe their diet currently as "oats and oats".
Then will begin the huge task of rebuilding both the Sacred Holy Places and Domains, and all the housing and other facilities that have been destroyed. Therefore, there will be a desperate need for skilled people in the coming weeks and months (tree professionals, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc.). And major funding will be needed, given the scale of the destruction to pay for the destruction. (Insurance companies typically require a very expensive and onerous level of structural upgrades in order to insure buildings against cyclone damage, which most people cannot afford, including us. Our preference is to spend available money on upgrading buildings, rather than on insurance premiums.)
A
first worldwide fundraiser from The Mountain Of
Attention
February 21, 2016. Thanks to everyone who participated!
A
first worldwide fundraiser from The Mountain Of
Attention
February 21, 2016. Thanks to everyone who
participated!
(click image to enlarge)
A
first worldwide fundraiser from The Mountain Of
Attention
February 21, 2016. Thanks to everyone who participated!
A
first worldwide fundraiser from The Mountain Of
Attention
February 21, 2016. Thanks to everyone who
participated!
(click image to enlarge)
A
first worldwide fundraiser from The Mountain Of
Attention
February 21, 2016. Thanks to everyone who participated!
A
first worldwide fundraiser from The Mountain Of
Attention
February 21, 2016. Thanks to everyone who
participated!
(click image to enlarge)
The
first relief crew arrives in LAX Airport (Los
Angeles) on the way to Fiji
February 24, 2016.
The
first relief crew arrives in LAX Airport (Los Angeles)
on the way to Fiji
February 24, 2016.
(click image to enlarge)
The
first relief crew arrives in LAX Airport (Los
Angeles) on the way to Fiji
February 24, 2016.
The
first relief crew arrives in LAX Airport (Los Angeles)
on the way to Fiji
February 24, 2016.
(click image to enlarge)
The second relief crew heading for Fiji
March 2, 2016.
The second relief crew heading for Fiji
March 2, 2016.
(click image to enlarge)
A
New Zealand naval ship arrives, and offloads relief
supplies via helicopter
March 11, 2016.
A
New Zealand naval ship arrives, and offloads relief
supplies via helicopter
March 11, 2016.
(click image to enlarge)
Naitauba
begins to bloom again three weeks after Cyclone
Winston
March 13, 2016.
Naitauba
begins to bloom again three weeks after Cyclone
Winston
March 13, 2016.
(click image to enlarge)
Volunteers
arriving to help.
Volunteers
arriving to help.
(click image to enlarge)
The
Turaga Dau Loloma is upright again!
March 18, 2016.
The
Turaga Dau Loloma is upright again!
March 18, 2016.
(click image to enlarge)
The
Turaga Dau Loloma is in use again
May, 2016.
The
Turaga Dau Loloma is in use again
May, 2016.
(click image to enlarge)
The
Matrix temple complex
Cleaning
sacred articles near the Matrix.
Cleaning
sacred articles near the Matrix.
(click image to enlarge)
Almost
all of the roads have been cleared of fallen trees.
length: 41:48 event date: February 20, 2016 views: 4124 A report in June, 2016 on the state of Naitauba, three months after the devastating destruction wrought by Cyclone Winston on February 20, 2016.
Interviews with Michiel Vos (Samrajya Administrator), Grace Evans (retreatant from California), Carol Smith (resident), Susie Bagshaw (Taveuni Support and Fijian Advocacy), Naamleela Free Jones (daughter of Adi Da Samraj), Joy Harland (resident), Andrew Savio (retreatant from Melbourne, Australia), Nicholas Wagner (public guest from Cape Town, South Africa), Da-vid Forsythe (resident), Ruchiradama Nadikanta (Ruchira Sannyasin Order), Jeff Hughes (retreatant from Taveuni, Fiji), and Ryan Bass (retreatant from Cape Town, South Africa).
While much has been done to restore Naitauba since the damage of Cyclone Winston (some of it reported in this video), much more recovery and restoration work and work aimed at minimizing the damage from future cyclones is still needed. You can find out more here.
How you can help
— For those wanting to learn more or wanting to
help, here are several resources:
Learn more about the sacred island of Adi Da Samrajashram — You can learn more here and here.
Provide financial support for relief
efforts — You can contribute support here, using PayPal or credit card.
If you would prefer to make an anonymous donation, or
pay by check, contact Antonina Randazzo (antoninar@gmail.com).
Note: If you are a resident of the United States, your
contribution to "Adidam Holy Domains", our non-profit
organization that funds all the Holy Sanctuaries of
Adidam (including Naitauba), will be tax-deductible.
Come and help — Please, everyone, if you
are a devotee of Adi Da, and are moved to come to Naitauba
and help, consider coming on a service retreat to help
repair Bhagavan Adi Da's most Holy Siddha Peetha. Think
of people you know also, people with skills who may not
necessarily be devotees even but might be willing to help.
Get together with your friends and think of ways you could
support people from each region to journey to Naitauba
to assist. Please contact Antonina Randazzo (antoninar@gmail.com).
Of greatest immediate need:
Tree professionals/surgeons
Carpenters
Electricians
Plumbers
Telecommunications experts
Other tradesman
One or more devotee art professionals to come and assess the status of the art
Anyone with a big heart and a sound body
They have tents that can fit up to twelve people.
Our heart-felt gratitude to anyone who is moved to help in any way!
Excellent précis of the situation and beautifully presented. Heartbreaking in the extreme! Thank you, Chris!
Thanks, Chris, for this additional info -- especially the photos.
It seems that now an opportunity presents itself to Adidam to open up the cultural community to new people who are fresh. This house sweeping also brings an opportunity to fortify existing structures and to rebuild sturdier ones which were lost. We are all blessed with this opportunity.
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