Flooding isolates Drasa community, no access to evacuation centre

More than 500 residents of Drasa in Lautoka were stranded today after rising floodwaters cut off all access roads, leaving families isolated without emergency services or evacuation options.

The area has been inaccessible since Saturday, with no functioning evacuation centre and no access to clean water.

Area advisory councillor Anju Chauhan said the community had become like an island, with both ends of the main road heavily flooded and impassable.

“We are completely cut off. There is no access to the main town or any public facilities. The floodwaters are rising, and people are scared,” Ms Chauhan said.

She said the only evacuation centre, Drasa Secondary School, was now unreachable because of flooding.

“We have no evacuation centre. Even if families want to move, they cannot cross. We are stuck,” she said.

More than 500 residents of Drasa in Lautoka were stranded today after rising floodwaters cut off all access roads, leaving families isolated without emergency services or evacuation options.

Photo: Supplied

Areas including Drasa Johnson, Drasa Dam and Drasa Lomolomo are among the worst affected, with homes at risk if water levels continue to rise.

Ms Chauhan warned the situation was critical, particularly for the elderly and those requiring urgent medical care.

“If there is a medical emergency, no one can come in to assist us. We are pleading with authorities to monitor our situation closely,” she said.

Residents are also facing shortages of clean water and essential supplies, as flooded bridges have blocked access to main roads and nearby towns.

“We have had no access to clean water since Saturday because our water pipes run along the bridge. Until the floodwaters go down, we will not have access to clean water.

“People cannot even go out to buy groceries or seek medical help,” she said.

Ms Chauhan urged parents to keep children away from floodwaters because of safety and health risks.

Concerns have also been raised about the Civicivi Culvert Crossing bridge, which residents say has only received temporary repairs. She said Civicivi roads are in poor condition and are not maintained by the Fiji Roads Authority because they are classified as non-public roads.

The community often comes together to maintain the bridge and road themselves.

“The majority of the people in this area use this road. We need a permanent solution. This is our main access route, and right now it is failing us,” she said.

Residents are calling on authorities to respond urgently before conditions worsen.