Residents in parts of Lautoka are calling for urgent restoration of water and electricity, as well as immediate assistance for farmers, following severe weather that disrupted essential services and livelihoods.
Lovu resident Mohammed Shameem says water supply was cut from yesterday morning while electricity went off around midday, after earlier fluctuations caused by fallen power lines and damaged poles.
Shameem is now urging the Water Authority of Fiji and Energy Fiji Limited to prioritise restoring services, especially in high-population areas and evacuation centres, including Lovu Sangam School where displaced families need electricity.
Shameem also highlights safety concerns, saying some youths were seen swimming in flooded rivers and creeks during the bad weather, increasing the risk of accidents and drowning.
Insert:Shameem on lack of patrols 8th April
He says authorities, including disaster officials and enforcement teams, need to strengthen patrols and monitoring during such conditions to prevent dangerous behaviour.
He also raised concerns about the growing impact on agriculture, saying vegetable farmers and sugarcane growers have suffered significant losses due to flooding and strong winds across the cane belt areas.
Shameem is calling on the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture to urgently assess the damage and provide assistance, warning that farmers are facing a major crisis that could affect food supply and livelihoods.
Insert:Shameem on assistance Hindi 8th April
While weather conditions have now improved, Shameem adds that many families are struggling to clean up due to lack of water, with homes, food supplies and belongings damaged or lost in the flooding.
He is also calling on NGOs and relevant authorities to step in and assist affected communities, warning that the situation has pushed some families deeper into hardship.
