Flash Flooding Closes Town Early
Market vendors at the Ba Municipal Market had to move to a higher ground as flash flooding spread.
A heavy downpour was experienced from Sunday night to yesterday afternoon.
Ba Market Vendors Association secretary Lusiana Bulu said as they were preparing for the day, water from the Elevuka Creek rushed into the market area.
She said around 9am, water entered the market.
“Just not to waste our time and energy, we all moved and sold our produce at the nearby supermarkets and car parks,” she said.
“We are used to this kind of weather; we are resilient people, come hail or storm we will look after our customers.”
Ba Lautoka special administrators Chair Anil Amin said at the moment the water level had slowly been decreasing.
“Business houses are on standby, but people are closing down as no one is in town. There is no point in opening the shops when there’re no people in town,” he said. Furthermore, various commuters were stranded in Tavua, including Nabuna Flats, Tavualevu Village, part of Tavua Town, Nasivi Bridge and Qalela Circular Road as several roads in the Western Division were closed.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) has urged the public to be vigilant with the heavy rain as various roads were not accessible.
“Motorists in the region are advised to plan their journey accordingly and not attempt to cross any flooded roads,” an FRA statement said.
“Members of the public are urged to take extra precautions.” Meanwhile, the National Weather Forecasting Centre in Nadi yesterday advised that heavy rain and flooding was expected to continue affecting parts of the Fiji group until tomorrow.
“An active trough of low pressure remains slow moving over Viti Levu. The associated rain bands continue to affect the country,” the statement said.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, interior and western parts of Viti Levu, Vatulele and Kadavu. A heavy rain alert remains in force for the rest of the Fiji Group.
A flood warning remains in force for the low lying areas, crossings and flood prone areas within the Ba Catchment.
A flash flood warning remains in force for low lying areas, crossings and flood prone areas within Nakauvadra, Penang, Nabuna Village Road (Tavua), Yaladro Road (Tavua), Nadarivatu Road, Balata Flat,
Rukuruku (Tavua), Naseyani, Kings Road- Tavua Town End, Matawai Flats, Ba River, Buabua Road (Lautoka), Vakabuli (Lautoka), Drasa Dam (Lautoka), Vitogo, Nadi Town and Tuva.