Bus passengers between Suva and Rakiraki were once ferried across the Naqia River in Government punts after floodwaters washed away a 40ft bridge.
The according to an article published in The Fiji Times on Monday March 8, 1976.
The bridge, according to the article, was given a week to undergo repair works conducted by Public Works Department employees.
The Rakiraki district officer, Subramani Pillay, told the Fiji Times then that the floodwaters had washed away three steel girders and bent the rest of them.
Naqia was about 45 miles towards Suva from Rakiraki.
The road remained closed to all traffic until the bridge was repaired. However, the Sunbeam Transport Co. had arranged a temporary daily return from Suva to Rakiraki.
A company director, Wahab Ali said one bus was travelling from Suva and one from Rakiraki to meet at Naqia. The two buses exchanged passengers at the bridge, and passengers crossed the Naqia in PWD punts.
Drauniivi
Mr Pillar said the PWD had repaired Drauniivi bridge about 15 miles from Tavua. The Drauniivi floods caused heavy soil erosion and damaged two concrete houses, which was dismantled and shifted, he said.
A Rakiraki Provincial Council member said erosion caused by the Drauniivi River floods were a danger to Drauniivi Village and its crop plantations.
Another flood could wash away many homes.
