Flooding Crisis Hits Western Fiji: Towns Grapple with Business Closures

Businesses in several towns across the Western Division, including Ba and Rakiraki, have been impacted by recent severe weather conditions, resulting in the temporary closure of many establishments as water levels rose and flooded shops.

Moshin Khan, the Special Administrator for Ba Town Council, emphasized that the decision to close operations in Ba was made to safeguard local businesses from further damage. He and his team have collaborated closely with the Ba Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), the Fiji Police, and the National Fire Authority (NFA) to manage the situation. While Ba Main Street reopened temporarily on Friday, it had to shut down again between 1 PM and 2 PM as conditions worsened. The flooding began affecting the Market Arcade by 7 AM, further complicating business operations.

In Tavua, health inspector Serevi Nabura reported that MaxVal-U supermarket had to close for the day due to flooding, although Tavua town remained open for business despite impacts from rising water levels near the Shop N Shop supermarket. Meanwhile, Rakiraki faced significant challenges as floodwaters rose from a nearby creek, leading to the closure of the town.

In contrast, Nadi and the Nadroga/Navosa region experienced relatively less disruption. Muni Reddy, the chief executive officer of Nadi Town Council, noted that businesses had resumed operations and were engaged in cleanup efforts after managing the aftermath of the flooding. Suresh Naidu, chairman of the Nadroga Navosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reported that business continued as usual in the region.

This series of events highlights the resilience of the local communities in the face of natural adversity. While the weather has caused challenges, the collaborative efforts of various organizations and the quick response of business owners demonstrate a commitment to recovery and support for one another. As communities come together to recover, there is hope that they will emerge stronger and better prepared for future storms.