The Khan family from Viseisei Back Road East had a subdued Eid celebration this year due to ongoing water issues in their area. Rukshar Khan highlighted the difficulties faced by her family, explaining that her daughter, a primary school student, has been unable to attend classes since last week due to these water shortages. “Water is a basic need. We are struggling to participate in our festival as we cannot bathe or prepare adequately for family visits,” she stated, emphasizing the impact of this essential resource on their traditional celebrations.
Another local resident, 82-year-old Gayatri Devi, shared her frustrations, stating that water availability is limited to a short window, with tap water only running between 9:30 AM and 11 AM. “This is the first time we have been experiencing this issue,” she remarked, adding that her attempts to get information from the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) led to being told there was no water in the reservoir.
Peni Shute, the acting manager for communications and stakeholder engagement at WAF, confirmed the agency is providing water carting relief to help affected residents. Nevertheless, for many, like Ms. Devi, the current arrangements are insufficient for basic needs such as cooking and hygiene.
This scenario is reflective of a broader crisis affecting several communities across Fiji, including areas like Khalsa Road in Suva, where residents have been struggling with similar water shortages for years, significantly impacting their daily lives and children’s education. The persistent lack of reliable water supply has raised alarms among residents, who express concerns not only about health and hygiene but also about the disruption of educational activities for their children.
The community’s resilience is noteworthy as residents actively seek solutions, urging the government and WAF to take decisive action to address this pressing issue. The hope remains that with increased attention and effective management, improvements in water supply can be achieved, fostering a better quality of life for families during both regular days and significant celebrations.
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