As many Hindu families prepare for Diwali, about 15 families in Vavalagi, Labasa, are struggling to access clean and safe drinking water following six months of severe drought.
Residents say their main water source has completely dried up, leaving families with no water.
Speaking to fijivillage News, resident Abilash Chand says the situation has become increasingly difficult, with 15 households affected by the ongoing drought.
Chand says they have been experiencing severe water shortages for the past three months after their main water source dried up.
He says residents have repeatedly contacted the Water Authority of Fiji for assistance and were given reference numbers, but water deliveries have yet to reach them.
Chand says the shortage is particularly affecting elderly residents and children, including his elderly father.
He adds that a borehole project was initiated by the previous government, but no further progress has been made to date.
Chand says with Diwali tomorrow, he is appealing to the Water Authority of Fiji and the Government to urgently intervene, provide water to the affected families and assist in completing the borehole project.
Questions have been sent to WAF.