Residents of Field 40 in Lautoka are expressing frustration after being without water for the past three days and experiencing very low water pressure this morning.
Speaking to fijivillage News, a resident who wished to remain anonymous says the ongoing disruption has affected many families, particularly Muslim households observing Ramadan.
She says the water supply was restored around 4am today, but it was too late as families had to begin their fast at 4.43am.
Insert: Lautoka resident on water issue Hindi 5th Mar
The resident adds that the water pressure remains extremely low.
She says many families are struggling to prepare their sehri (the early morning meal Muslims eat before beginning their fast-during Ramadan) and iftaari (the meal eaten at sunset to break the fast) due to the lack of water.
The resident also highlights that before performing prayers, Muslims must carry out Wadhu, the process of purification using water.
However, due to the water shortage, some people have been unable to perform their prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.
She further claims that no water trucks were sent by the Water Authority of Fiji to assist affected families during the disruption.
Meanwhile, Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau earlier said the severe weather brought intense rain across several water catchments.
He says this resulted in extremely high turbidity levels, meaning large amounts of mud and debris in raw water sources, along with intake blockages, flooding of pump stations and damage to raw water pipelines.
