Businesses in several towns within the western division, including Ba and Rakiraki, faced significant disruptions due to adverse weather conditions. Both towns experienced flooding, forcing the closure of several shops as water levels rose and encroached into business premises.
Moshin Khan, the special administrator for Ba Town Council, emphasized that the temporary closure was a necessary measure to safeguard local businesses. He and his team have been collaborating closely with various organizations, including the Ba Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Fiji National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Fiji Police, and the National Fire Authority (NFA) to coordinate response efforts effectively.
On Friday, Ba’s Main Street remained accessible until around 1 PM to 2 PM, while reports indicated that the Market Arcade had water intrusion from as early as 7 AM. Meanwhile, Serevi Nabura, the health inspector for Rakiraki/Tavua Town Council, confirmed that the MaxVal-U supermarket in Tavua was closed for the day due to flooding, although Tavua town itself remained operational—albeit affected by high water levels near the Shop N Shop supermarket. Rakiraki town, on the other hand, was entirely shut down as water from a nearby creek overflowed into the streets.
In contrast, Nadi and the Nadroga/Navosa area reported a different scenario. Muni Reddy, the chief executive officer of Nadi Town Council, noted that businesses were returning to normal as they commenced cleanup operations following the weather disturbances. Similarly, Suresh Naidu, chairman of the Nadroga Navosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, indicated that local businesses were operating as usual in the area.
This situation underscores the resilience of local businesses and the collaborative efforts made by various organizations in response to natural disasters. It illustrates a community coming together during challenging times, with hopes of recovery and restoration of normalcy swiftly returning to the affected regions.
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