Heavy rainfall over the past several days has led to significant flooding at the low bridge in Fugalei on Monday, affecting residents and disrupting traffic in the area. The ageing infrastructure is in a terrible state.

According to a family living adjacent to the river, the flooding was severe, particularly during the night. 

"We could hear the sounds of logs clashing against each other," one family member reported.

Following the flood, large logs and debris blocked access to the road. Villagers, with assistance from the Moatoga Company, undertook cleanup efforts. Moatoga, which operates a warehouse in the area, provided machinery to help clear the obstruction and reopen access across the bridge. 

Officials from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) arrived on Wednesday to assess and support the continued cleanup and ensure the bridge was safe for public use.

Residents of Fugalei are once again raising concerns over the condition of the Fugalei Bridge, which has long been a problem area during periods of heavy rain. Villagers report that every time the river floods, large amounts of debris, including logs, plastics, and dead animals, are swept downstream and stuck at the bridge. This creates a blockage hazard and a serious health concern due to the strong odour, particularly from dead animals carried by the current.

The issue is especially troubling for a family living next to the river, who says they are the ones responsible for clearing the debris. 

"The smell is overwhelming, and because we live right next to the river, we're the first to deal with it," shared Matthew To’o, a family member.

Residents of Fugalei are expressing growing frustration over the deteriorating state of the village’s low-lying bridge, which they say is ageing and sinking and becoming increasingly unreliable during heavy rain.

"The bridge is older than I am, and it’s sinking," said Matthew.

Community members have been doing their best to maintain the structure, frequently burying it with dirt and sand to keep it passable. However, during floods, the force of the river washes away all their efforts, leaving only the exposed metal structure behind.

After each flood, villagers immediately begin clearing debris, such as logs and rubbish, to allow vehicles to cross. Still, they say the situation is becoming more dangerous. “When the river floods, it’s impossible for vehicles to pass. The bridge is too low and it’s slowly breaking apart,” Matthew added.

Emailed questions were sent to the CEO of LTA and are awaiting a response.

The community is calling for urgent government intervention to address the safety risks and find a long-term solution to repair or replace the failing bridge.