Recent weather conditions have caused significant disruptions to businesses in several towns within the western division, including Ba and Rakiraki. As water levels rose, many shops were forced to close their doors to protect their assets and ensure safety.

Moshin Khan, the Special Administrator for Ba Town Council, emphasized that shutting down Ba Town during the flood was a necessary measure to safeguard local businesses. Collaborating closely with various organizations, including the Ba Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Fiji National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDMO), the Fiji Police, and the National Fire Authority (NFA), Khan and his team took proactive steps during the crisis. On Friday, despite an initial opening, Ba Main Street started closing around 1 PM due to worsening conditions, while the Market Arcade reported water entering at 7 AM that day.

In Tavua, health inspector Serevi Nabura confirmed that MaxVal-U supermarket had to shut its operations for the day due to flooding impacts from the nearby river. Although Tavua remained open for business, water overflow affected establishments near Shop N Shop supermarket, and Rakiraki town had to close entirely as water levels from a creek surged into the area.

In contrast, Nadi Town Council’s CEO Muni Reddy indicated that businesses in Nadi resumed normal operations following cleanup efforts after the storm. Additionally, Suresh Naidu, the chairman of the Nadroga Navosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reported that business activities continued as usual in the region known for its rugby culture.

As the local communities work together to address the challenges posed by the weather and recover from flooding, there is a sense of resilience and solidarity among businesses. With clean-up efforts underway, hopes are high that affected towns will bounce back and emerge even stronger.

This situation highlights the importance of community and collaboration in times of crisis. While the impact of the flooding is unfortunate, the collective response from local leaders, businesses, and authorities embodies a spirit of resilience that promises recovery and renewal.