The Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI) is seeking discussions with the Labasa Town Council on the drainage system in the town area.

Chamber president Satish Kumar said yesterday after- noon within two hours of heavy rain, some roads and footpaths were covered with water causing a traffic flow problem and fear among business operators.

“Towards the town end and within the main town the streets were filled with water,” Mr Kumar said.

“I once highlighted this problem with the Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar for the employees of Labasa Town Council to look into the drainage system in Labasa Town.

“Many of the underground channels are blocked, perhaps with rubbish, which causes the water from the drains or kerbs to overflow.

“This is a very serious problem because we have noticed that whenever there is heavy rainfall, the footpath and roads are covered with water making difficult for pedestrians to walk and motorists to drive through the town.

“We have seen that when drivers drive through flood waters this forces water into shops, thus flooding them.”

A representative from Labasa Town Council confirmed that water did not enter the shops in Labasa Town and no business operator lodged a complaint at their office.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Northern Jovesa Vocea said the flash flood was caused by excessive rainfall over the past few days, which led to overflowing of water from the drainage system.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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