Bus passengers traveling between Suva and Rakiraki faced a significant disruption in March 1976 when floodwaters swept away a crucial 40-foot bridge over the Naqia River. This unfortunate event forced the Public Works Department to take immediate action, allowing for the restoration of the bridge, which had lost three steel girders and left the remaining structural supports bent.
According to a report published in The Fiji Times on March 8, 1976, the repair work was given a week to complete, leaving the road closed to all traffic. To accommodate stranded travelers, Sunbeam Transport Co. arranged a temporary solution, operating a daily return service between Suva and Rakiraki. Wahab Ali, a company director, elaborated on how the service operated — one bus would travel from Suva and another from Rakiraki, meeting at Naqia, where passengers transferred to Public Works Department punts to cross the river.
Additionally, the report highlighted issues in the Drauniivi area, approximately 15 miles from Tavua. Mr. Pillay indicated that the PWD had undertaken repairs on the Drauniivi Bridge following severe floods that resulted in heavy soil erosion and damage to two concrete houses, which were ultimately dismantled and relocated. Concerns were raised by a Rakiraki Provincial Council member regarding erosion from the Drauniivi River floods, posing a risk to both Drauniivi Village and its surrounding agricultural areas.
Though these floods caused substantial disruption and damage, the community’s resilience and prompt actions from local transport services showcased a commitment to ensuring connectivity and safety for travelers during a challenging time.
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