Residents on River-Road in Narere are reeling after floodwaters inundated their homes early this morning, causing extensive damage and leaving many with only the clothes they were wearing.
The flooding began around 2 AM and continued until approximately 6 AM, wreaking havoc in the community. Ram Chandra, a 60-year-old resident who has lived in the area for over two decades, stated that he has never seen flooding this severe before. “Nothing was left because the floodwaters took everything. This is the first time for something like this to happen because previously, the waters never reached this height,” he said.
Mohammed Dean, a newcomer to the settlement who moved in just six months ago, was shocked by the events. He helped rescue Chandra’s family as floodwaters invaded their home. “I woke to my neighbors screaming and thought they were fighting, but when I looked outside, I saw the water already halfway into their house. I managed to get them to come over to my place by climbing over an old fridge lying around, as my home is situated a bit higher,” Dean explained.
In light of the disaster, Dean is appealing to the government for support to construct a new home, expressing concern for his family’s safety should another flooding occur. “I need the government to help me build a new house because the one we’re in now might not withstand another incident like this. Also, this isn’t my house,” he stated.
The families affected are among a small group facing the impacts of the recent heavy rainfall in Suva.