SCHOOLCHILDREN have to walk more than 30 minutes along a two-kilometre stretch of flooded road to attend school every morning at the Yaladro Flats in Tavua whenever there is heavy rain.
Others opt to stay at home and miss school because of the unavailability of public transport.
Bus companies that service the route stop operations to communities along the Yaladro Rd whenever it floods.
This is the constant daily struggle for residents living along the Yaladro Flats after constant flooding problems in the area have forced residents to make tough decisions for their children.
Yaladro villager, Mataiasi Dregasu said children either got to school by walking to the main highway or be transported in hired vans.
"Some just stay at home," he said.
During the recent spate of heavy rain, Mr Dregasu said some students missed almost an entire week of school.
"I know of some students who have not attended classes since Monday when the heavy rain started.
"Now its Thursday, and even though the weather has improved the Yaladro Rd is still flooded which forced them to stay at home again," he said.
Another resident, Pundit Sharma said workers found it hard to find transport to go to work.
"No bus or taxi is willing to come into Yaladro Rd to take people to town and to work.
"The cars that do come in have to use the tramline and even that is not safe for the vehicles," said Mr Sharma.