Kings Highway Landslides Stop Nasonua From Reaching Village
On Friday night, he was driving to his village, but a landslide occurred in the same area and he was forced to return to Suva.
Sunday 28 April 2019 | 16:50
Senivalati Nasonua from Tobu village in Wainibuka, Tailevu pointing at the landslide in Malabe along the Kings Highway on April 27,2019. Photo: Simione Haravanua
Senivalati Nasonua was stranded on the Kings Highway with several others after a landslide at Malabe in Tailevu at around 10.30am yesterday.
Mr Nasonua was travelling to his village at Tobu, but had to wait for a couple of hours because the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) workers had to clear the site.
On Friday night, he was driving to his village, but a landslide occurred in the same area and he was forced to return to Suva.
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On Saturday morning, as he was making his way again, the second landslide occurred at Malabe.
“It is frustrating because I could not go to my village the previous night and when I came in the morning, the same thing happened again,” Mr Nasonua said.
“It is quite dangerous as well, but I am glad that there has not been any casualties because of it.”
Incidences of landslides were also reported in Nabulini Tailevu, Naivucini past Suva and in Nabita Village in Rakiraki causing roadblocks and traffic delays.
FRA is closely monitoring the situation and has advised members of the public to be vigilant of further increase in risk of landslides due to saturated ground conditions on hillside terrains following heavy rain.
“Motorists are urged to please keep a safe following distance in order to prevent accidents on wet and
slippery roads,” FRA chief executive officer Jonathan Moore said.
“We are urging the public to exercise extreme caution on our roads, slow down, be courteous and obey all traffic directions because this effectively becomes a work site for our staff and contractors.”
Edited by Percy Kean
