The Fiji Retailers Association President said the business community in Suva and Viti Levu suffered a lot due to the power blackout.

Himmat Lodhia said all their schedules for their businesses were fouled with staff not turning up for work when many had to look after their children who had an unscheduled break.

Lodhia added that a survey was carried out where they found that most of the online and phone systems were damaged where online and EFTPOS businesses suffered the most and sales were not complete.

He also said that such acts of nature happens in big cities like Sydney and Auckland however things are done differently and has urged Fiji Electricity Authority to do something in such cases.

The Fiji Electricity Authority had confirmed that the power blackout had occurred due to a technical problem in the main lines from Monasavu.

FEA said the problems in the lines may have been caused by heavy rain and lightning last night which is beyond their control.