Cyclone and coastal erosion badly damages Nadi Boat Club
Various parts of Newtown in Wailoaloa, Nadi suffered coastal erosion as a result of Tropical Cyclone Sarai.
This is after strong waves caused the washout of the front of the Nadi Boat Club and its surrounding.
Club president, Vikashni Filomena Devi said strong waves incapacitated the boat club’s surroundings which include its fence, bures, a hall and some electrical appliances.
“We have done so many renovations for these surroundings and many people love to come and spend their day out in this place,” she said.
“The Boat Club is mostly booked for parties and is always a picnic spot, especially for school children and other organisations. It is also a place where people come to meditate or study for their exams. This place is well-liked by the public.
“I really felt bad when I came here on Saturday, I saw the waves had busted against the fence and flooded the whole compound as well as the hall and it destroyed some of our electrical appliances.”
Ms Devi is requesting assistance from Government in building a seawall to protect the boat club and it’s surroundings from future disasters.
Newtown is also home to the famous Nadi Airport Golf Club and the Turtle Airways Seaplanes.
Ronnie Chang of Martintar, however, said the TC Sarai was a blessing in disguise.
“It eased our water problems. I believe our water levels at the Nagado and Vaturu reservoir have improved significantly. Finally, after three months, water pressure in the higher areas like Mountain View is now back to almost normal,” he said.