Lovu Seaside residents in Lautoka were evacuated by police officers yesterday afternoon after a fresh round of heavy downpours hit the Sugar City at around 3pm.
Resident Sefanaia Rauga was among the 18 families who sought shelter at the Lovu Primary School.
He said his family had been experiencing the changing weather since Monday night.
“We knew that we had to move so we spent last night packing and moving things to higher ground,” said Mr Rauga.
“By this morning, the water was up to our chest so we had to move.
“During this time we always appreciate the police and fire authority officers coming to help us move but this time around they were a bit late.
“I moved my family to the school before the arrived.”
Describing the situation at his home, Mr Rauga said it was like a sea.
“If you look from the road into our area, you will only see water. You have to go by boat or swim if you go there now.”
Mr Rauga was among residents from Lovu Seaside, California, Vunato and neighbouring areas that needed to be relocated to schools. Schools that were among the evacuation centres in Lautoka included Lautoka Primary School, Jasper Primary School and Natabua Primary School.
