Families in the Naqiliso settlement in Davuilevu are in the process of recovery following devastating flash floods that struck the area, damaging homes and forcing many residents to seek shelter elsewhere.
Akshay Prasad, a local resident, recounted the harrowing experience as the water rapidly rose, leaving his family with nothing but their clothes. “In just a few minutes, the water came in. My wife only managed to take our son outside. Everything else—our furniture, electrical items and food—was destroyed. It’s been three days and we haven’t received proper assistance,” he shared.
The flooding coincided with the construction of a government-funded burial ground development nearby. Fiji Corrections Commissioner Auta Moceisuva indicated that the situation was exacerbated by blocked drainage systems. “The drainage where the water was supposed to be discharged had been buried and blocked. As a result, the water was held back on one side,” he explained.
Moceisuva emphasized the importance of the burial ground project, noting that the current burial space is expected to be exhausted in the coming months. “There was a need to undertake this project so that we flatten the land and create additional burial plots,” he said.
Authorities are now taking action, with efforts underway to clear the blocked drainage and improve water flow, aiming to prevent such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, displaced families have found refuge with relatives as drainage works continue.
Amidst the challenges, the response from emergency services and local authorities shows a commitment to help the affected community rebuild and improve infrastructure, reflecting a hopeful step towards recovery and resilience.
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