Avinesh Singh of Barara, LomoLomo, Lautoka said the constant flooding in the area posed a lot of safety risks for residents.

The area was flooded on Saturday which residents claimed was caused by drainage problem.

“Floodwaters started coming in at around 4 pm. There is no space now because people have built their houses over the drain space where the water is supposed to pass freely,” he said.

Flooded road in Lomolomo, Lautoka.

“Every time it floods, parts of the road are washed away making life difficult for children when going to school, the elderly people who walk down that path could get injured as well as for those who work in town.”

He said residents woke up on Sunday morning to damaged crops and plantations.

“We planted about 45 sandalwood trees and all have been washed away. Our plantations, crops and banana trees have been damaged with sugarcane fields being hit the worst. When water goes in, it takes about a week to dry and farmers face a lot of issues,” he said.

“About three or four years ago Minister Reddy came and organised a drainage system here which was okay, but now the silt has started to build again.”

Mr Singh said residents have pleaded with relevant authorities to address the drainage issue which impacted the whole Barara, Lomolomo area.

Phone calls made to the Ministry for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment remained unanswered.

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