The director of Fiji's National Disaster Management Office, the NDMO, says a lot more needs to be done to prevent the effects of flooding throughout the country.
Joeli Rokovada was speaking as people began a major clean up in the Western Division following widespread flooding after heavy rain and the Ba river bursting its banks.
He says Lautoka city was particularly hard hit and businesses were still mopping up.
Mr Rokovada says this is partly due to its poor drainage system and he believes the upgrading and maintenance of basic infrastructure is a problem around the country.
"I think it's an issue that needs to be addressed at the highest level in government, particularly the need to include these risk reduction issues as an integral part of the national development planning process."
Mr Rokovada says the NDMO will be presenting a report to the minister responsible on what needs to be done to prevent the problem recurring.
