WET weather kept Ba Market vendors away for the second day this week.
According to 40-year-old Sarwan Kumar of Navatu, Ba, the adverse weather conditions had affected business.
He said the rising river levels brought on by continuous rain forced people to take precautions.
"The river at the back of the market was rising and we were concerned that more rain could cause flooding in the market," he said.
"The market was empty today (yesterday) because most of the vendors didn't turn up.
"Most of us depend mainly on this business to support our daily needs and we are greatly affected by the bad weather."
Mr Kumar who has been a market vendor for the past 10 years said the weather aggravated the pinch felt in the aftermath of last year's floods and Tropical Cyclone Evan.
"I believe it will take time before the supply will normalise," he said.
Sigatoka market vendor Anita Devi said farmers in the district were also feeling the effects of the heavy downpour.
She said the flooding of low-lying areas had damaged newly-planted vegetables and root crops.