Firefighters from the National Fire Authority joined residents in Nabua, Suva this week to clear blocked waterways near the Fiji Muslim League Settlement, restoring water flow and reducing local flood risk in the latest hands‑on response to the city’s drainage problems.
NFA officers worked alongside community volunteers in a coordinated clean‑up operation that targeted choke points where debris and rubbish had been narrowing channels. Authorities said crews were able to reopen sections of the drains so water could move more freely, lowering the immediate threat of flash flooding to homes and streets around the settlement.
Officials emphasised that the intervention was a preventative measure aimed at reducing harm during heavy downpours. “Early action and community support remain key to building a more resilient Fiji,” authorities said, linking the clean‑up to broader efforts to limit flood damage and protect vulnerable neighbourhoods during the wet season.
The Nabua operation is the latest in a string of local responses to clogged drainage systems that have been blamed for worsening floods across the Central Division. In December, Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau pointed to illegal and irresponsible dumping into drains as a major factor in recent flooding, and government agencies have since been urged to step up drainage inspections and maintenance ahead of the cyclone season. Local Government Minister Maciu Naulumisa has also pushed for integrated action between ministries to address chronic blockages.
The National Fire Authority’s participation underscores a multi‑agency approach: the NFA has played varied roles in recent emergency responses, from pollution containment at Walu Bay to life‑saving operations during extreme weather. Community clean‑ups with emergency services offer a visible example of that cooperation, authorities say, and aim to build capacity at the neighbourhood level so residents and first responders can act quickly when rain threatens.
Community leaders at the Fiji Muslim League Settlement welcomed the action but reiterated that long‑term solutions require sustained public awareness and improved waste management. Previous reporting on the cluster of drainage and flood stories has shown that short‑term clearances must be followed by better systems for rubbish collection and stricter enforcement against illegal dumping to prevent re‑blocking.
Officials called on residents to continue supporting clean‑ups and to avoid disposing of waste in drains and waterways. They said regular maintenance, combined with community vigilance, will be crucial to minimise flood damage in Suva’s low‑lying suburbs as the country moves into the wetter months.
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