Heavy rain and flood warning remain in force

A heavy rain warning remains along with a flood warning for the low lying areas and small streams throughout the country.

A strong wind warning remains in force for all land areas of Fiji.

A flood warning is now in force for the low lying areas and small streams adjacent to and downstream of Rakiraki Town.

A flood alert remains in force for the low lying areas and the downstream areas of Waimanu and Wailotua, the low-lying areas and areas adjacent to Rewa Bridge and areas downstream of Nausori Town and for the low lying areas and areas adjacent to the downstream of Nayavu.

The water level in Rakiraki at 4pm was 2.78m, which is 0.78m above warning level and is still increasing.

The water level in the Rewa Bridge was 3.08m which is 0.42m below alert level and is decreasing.

The level at Waimanu and Wailotua station was 4.13m which is 0.13m above alert level and increasing.

The next high tide is at 9.52pm.

The tropical depression was located at 410km Northwest of Nadi at about 3pm today.

The depression is slow moving and the center is expected to remain to the far West of Fiji.

The Nadi Weather office says associated trough of low pressure and active rain bands will continue to affect the country however the depression has a low chance of developing into a cyclone.

For the whole of Fiji, periods of rain, heavy at times and thunderstorms over most places which will ease to occasional rain from tomorrow.

If you feel that you area may be flooded, please take the necessary precaution and do not leave things for the last minute.

The rain will continue into tonight and may cause flooding.

Nadi Weather Office director Ravind Kumar is asking people to be vigilant and cautious as the heavy rain and flood warning remains.

He says on this path the depression is moving away from Fiji and the rain will start easing from later tomorrow.

Evacuation Centres:

The Tropical Depression that we are currently facing is not projected to develop into a cyclone.

This was confirmed by the DISMAC Director Akapusi Tuifagalele.

He says that there are a total number of 40 evacuation centres around the country with 510 occupants.

Tuifagalele says there are 217 people in evacuation centres in the Central Division.

He says five evacuation centres in the Central Division are now cleared and these are ACS, Vishnu Deo Memorial primary, Sawani Church and the Sawani Hall.

He says five still remain active which are the Nadera Methodist Hall with 53 occupants, Vashist Muni Primary has 60, Dawasamu Secondary School with 11 and the  LDS church in Serua with 69 occupants.

Tuifagalele says Nadoi Community hall in Rewa has 24 occupants.

He says in the Eastern Division there are 34 evacuation centres with 270 occupants.

Tuifagalele says there are 262 people in the eastern Division which includes Koro, Moturiki, Nairai, Makogai and Ovalau.

He says there are none in the Northern Division.

He adds that in the Western Division there is only one evacuation centre that is open in Toko, Tavua with 23 occupants.

Tuifagalele also confirms that power supply has been restored from Nacocolevu to Korolevu in the Western Division.

He says flash flooding and landslides are anticipated and heavy rain warning, strong wind and flood warning for low lying areas are still in place.

Tuifagalele says they are working with police and the military with regards to the safety of the people and those in the evacuation centres as wardens in those areas.

Meanwhile, Tuifagalele says that 718 families are still living in tents after Cyclone Winston and they are monitoring the situation.

Rakiraki Town is now flooded.

This has been confirmed by Divisional Planning Officer West, Sitiveni Tavaga.

He says the police and fire officers are now trying to help evacuate people living in the town and nearby areas to the evacuation center at Penang Sangam School.

Tavaga is also strongly advising people to move to the evacuation center and not to take any risk.

Tavaqa says they are also worried about the next high tide which is at 9.52 tonight.

Meanwhile, heavy rain, flood and strong wind warning is in force throughout the country.

Flood warning is especially for low lying and flood prone areas.

We are trying to get more information, stay with us for the latest updates.

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