An emergency water operation is underway on Batiki Island following shortages affecting communities that depend mainly on rainwater harvesting.

The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Risk Management, through the Divisional Commissioner Eastern Office, is working with the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport and the Water Authority of Fiji to deliver water to the island.

The MLC Vatulawa left Narayan Jetty at 8:45pm last night and is expected to reach Batiki at around 6am today, September 21.

The team will distribute emergency water and assess other possible water sources on the island. The school and health centre will be prioritised during the initial distribution.

A second water delivery is scheduled for September 22 after the team returns to Levuka to replenish supplies.

The Government is also preparing water supply operations for other drought-affected maritime communities in the Northern and Western divisions as El Niño impacts continue to develop.