Nadi town has been closed to all traffic for major cleaning up within the central business district.

People travelling from Sigatoka to Nadi and from Lautoka to Nadi are advised that the town is closed.

People commuting from these areas are advised to use the Nadi Back Road because the town road will be closed until 5pm today.

The Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry is urging all business owners in Nadi to help with clearing of all the debris.

President Dr Ram Raju says while soldiers have been deployed to the area to speed up the cleaning, business owners should take the initiative to take out all damaged goods from their shops.

“I think it’s important that every business houses is able to open their shops and take out all debris and damaged goods so that the entire town is clean as soon as possible.”

Dr Raju says health authorities have expressed their concern at the current stench coming from supermarkets and shops.

“The filth and the smell tend to increase especially with the breeze coming in every now and then and authorities say it could pose health risks. So it’s vital to clear all debris.”

Soldiers have been called in to help speed up the recovery process by cleaning up Nadi town.