Nilesh Chand, 41, said he could only watch as flood waters from the Drasa Civicivi bridge in Lautoka rose and damaged his vegetable farms and washed away part of his livestock on Saturday morning.

Mr Chand said the rain started around 6am and by midday flood waters destroyed their vegetable farm, half of his sugarcane plantation, pawpaw trees and washed away 100 eggplant seedlings.

Mr Chand said he was also concerned about the 150 residents of Drasa residing on the other side of the Civicivi bridge which was flooded.

He said that when flood waters receded, his family was left to clean up the rubbish that was washed into their compound.

“We will replant slowly but we are requesting if we can also be assisted because we are planting these vegetables not only for ourselves but for our community,” he said.

In a statement released on Saturday police confirmed that  families in low-lying areas such as Vunato, Lovu, Vitogo and Naviyago were evacuated  and that rubber Dinghy boats donated by the Government of Japan were also used during the flash floods in the Western Division also on Saturday yesterday.

Members of the public who are in need of assistance can call the Western Command Center – 9905457, Northern Command Center -9905722, Southern Command Center -9905529, Eastern Command Center- 9995563  or the Central Command Center- 8932875

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