Four families residing in the most vulnerable part of Lelata during flash flooding who initially decided not to move during Cyclone Evan have decided to become more vigilant while remaining there.

The families are surrounded by a new river bank which was formed during Cyclone Evan in 2012 and during heavy rain they are unable to access their homes or cross to the other side as a result of flooding.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Milovale Kitiona from one of the families which is the oldest to settle in that area and who initially decided to relocate due to the continuous impact said they will wait on the government and rely on their prayers as well as take preventative measures.

"What we do now is, when it's December, we take our mother or grandmother up to the higher lands that are safer where my children and siblings are because it's always the month of heavy rain and flooding so that we're sure she's safe," she explained.

"Never mind us because we can run here and there for safety because we have the strength but we don't want to go back to that time when our mother was piggybacked to the other side by the firefighters."

Asked why they do not want to move to their new land they bought in Vaitele, Mrs. Kitiona said it is their grandmother's wish to remain and cherish the home they were raised in.

"We initially thought of relocating for good but my mother's wish is that we never abandon our home here and we also feel the same in a way. So, we're living carefully now and taking precautions.

"When it's December or during the rain during the year, we move our cars to be parked in front of Frankies Supermarket on the safer side of the river and we keep our eyes open.

"We are currently relying on the government for the project they proposed and consulted us about it. Hopefully that can be an answer to our ongoing struggles if not today, hopefully any time soon."

According to Mrs. Kitiona, the last time they were consulted about the riverside wall project was in March this year. The wall would act as a barrier preventing flooding.

She added that the government had already paid $1million to their extended family for the piece of their land which is 5meters far from the river, to be used for the project.

Meanwhile, only one family on that side of Lelata has relocated for good, other families stay temporarily, while Mrs. Kitiona and her family and a few of her neighbours whom she is related to decided to stay and look after their childhood homes.

It has been over 50 years since Mrs. Kitiona and her family settled in Lelata.