Businesses in several towns across the western division, including Ba and Rakiraki, faced significant disruptions due to recent weather conditions. In response to rising water levels, many enterprises were forced to temporarily close their doors as water entered shops.
Moshin Khan, the Special Administrator for Ba Town Council, emphasized that the decision to close Ba town during the flooding was made to safeguard local businesses. His team has been collaborating with the Ba Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Fiji National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDMO), Fiji Police, and the National Fire Authority (NFA) to manage the situation effectively.
On Friday, while Ba Main Street was operational earlier in the day, closures began around 1 PM to 2 PM. Water began entering the Market Arcade as early as 7 AM.
In Tavua, health inspector Serevi Nabura reported that MaxVal-U supermarket was closed for the day due to flooding, although Tavua town remained open for business. However, Shop N Shop supermarket experienced flooding due to river spillover. Rakiraki town also faced closure as the creek overflowed, leading to rising water levels.
Contrastingly, Nadi Town was largely unaffected, with businesses resuming operations and engaging in cleanup efforts following the inclement weather. Similarly, Suresh Naidu, chairman of the Nadroga Navosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that businesses continued as usual in the area.
This situation highlights the resilience of the affected communities, as local authorities and businesses work together to navigate the challenges posed by nature. The focus now shifts to recovery and ensuring that business operations can be restored as soon as feasibly possible.
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