Four people are counting their lucky stars after they were saved from heavy currents at the Nadi Back Road Bridge on Monday.

Waisea Seavula, 32, was among the four who tried to cross the swelling river to reach their family members at the nearest evacuation centre at Mount St Mary’s Primary School.

“We were in our home in Bila when the water began to rush into our house; by that time 11 of our family members had made it to the evacuation centre,” he said.

The Nadarivatu, Ba, native said they were still cooking cassava in their house to be taken to the centre when he noticed the water rising in the house.

“It was knee level. I realised this won’t stop so with the other three we decided to cross the flooded bridge at around 5.30pm, but we were not able to cross with the cooked cassava we were carrying.

“By then they had decided to go a bit further up the river and cross to reach Mountain View in Martintar.

“Over there good neighbours noticed what we were trying to do, so they threw us a rope which was then tied to the tree. We then managed to swim across with the cassava,” Mr Seavula said.

“We are happy to alive with our family members at the evacuation centre. Meanwhile, a total of 30 people were billeted at the Mount St Mary’s Primary School during the floods.  Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

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