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Confusion Follows Serious Fiji Floods: Two Dead

Serious flooding in Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji, between March 21-25, caused damage conservatively estimated at more than £500,000. The main areas affected were the Rewa Valley, the Sigatoka Valley and Nadi, but because mam arteries were inundated there was widespread confusion on the island.

TWO people lost their lives— strangely enough in areas affected only relatively lightly. One was at and the other at La, The%xtent of the damage: • The main circuminsular road washouts 311 ♦ W cropland bananas

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feeding into the Rewa River; • Shops under water and heavy material stock losses in Nadi; • Crop losses in the Sigatoka Valiev and • Extensive flattening of cane crops in a wide area from Nadi to the eastern side of the Sigatoka River, The Sigatoka River bridge, a massive concrete structure, carrying road traffic and a SPSM Ltd. tram-line,

was seriously damaged. More than half was washed away, and arrange ments were made f.,“ vit |i as a road link. While it “ Suva 1 * and"UTttot , Kind’s Road Many clock to restore the King's Road for e the mainly between east and west and the Phots flew long hours keeping essential traffic moving. Handicapped because three Herons were grounded overseas one at Honara and two at Apia, for several days, the remaining Heron and the Drover were seldom on the ground during daylight.

As it was Nauson airport near Suva was frequently under water in parts and heavy vehicles ferried pas

Nadi township from the air—an amazing sight for Fiji. —RNZAF photo.

sengers, mail and cargo from the ter minal building to the aircraft.

Nadi Airport was out of commis sion for a day and overseas airliners were delayed because of severe elec trical storms in the area. A Qantas Boeing, northbound, was within half an hour of Nadi and had to turn back to Sydney. A TEAL Electra from Auckland got even closer, with in 10 minutes, when it had to turn back. A PAA Boeing got over Nadi and tried several times to get down.

Finally the pilot gave up in disgust and flew on to Pago Pago.

Nadi Airport had a near record rainfall.

Relief organisations soon swung into action to bring succour to those who had lost most of their posses sions. There was immediate help from New Zealand, Australia, America, Great Britain and nearby island groups.

Within a few days a flood disaster fund reached more than £30,000, with some magnificent contributions trom overseas.