Concerns are being raised by residents of Wailea Settlement in Vatuwaqa about the constant flooding that occurs in their community when there is continuous rain.
Wailea Community leader, Inoke Utona shared this with fijivillage News saying that now 15 minutes of rain will have the whole community flooded, whereas before, unless it rained for at least two hours non-stop then there would be flooding.
Utona says this is because the huge drain behind the settlement which where the storm waters usually get carried out to is blocked, and needs to be cleared as it is filled with old tyres, rubbish and other debris.
He says they have asked for assistance from the Suva City Council, but while waiting have started their own small groups to clean the drains that run along their houses to the water outlet.
Utona says one of the youth have started clearing parts of the drain which has lessened the impact but adds they need an excavator to clean out all the mud and debris.
He says at times they have collaborated with the Ministry of Health but then some residents lose interest after a while.
The community leader says most of the houses in Wailea Settlement that are not on stilts or raised are feeling the brunt of the flooding as all their belongings get soaked.
He says at times, flood waters reach waist level or higher if the rain persists.
Another resident that fijivillage News spoke to, 70-year-old Mosese Waqabaca says during their community meetings the residents living next to the waterway have agreed to clean their areas which are directly behind their houses.
Waqabaca pointed out how high the flood waters would rise on the side of his house which is about 1.67 metres high.
He adds if the bad weather persists he and his family would have to relocate to higher ground.
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