Flood warning remains for low lying areas for the whole of Fiji

A flood warning remains in force for the low lying areas and small streams for the whole of Fiji.

The Nadi Weather Office says flood warnings remain for the low lying areas and small streams adjacent to and downstream of Rakiraki Town, Navolau, Wailotua, Nayavu, Wainibuka, Rewa Bridge station and downstream of Nausori Town.

The Rewa River level was 6.2 metres at 9am today which is 1.52 metres above the warning level and increasing.

The level at Nayavu station was 11.35 metres which is 3.35 metres above the warning level and decreasing.

The water level at Rakiraki station was 2.69 metres at 9am today which is 0.69 metres above the warning level and decreasing.

A flood alert remains in force for the low lying areas and small streams adjacent to and downstream of Nabukaluka and Waimanu.

The high tide is now coming in.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for the whole of Fiji.

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

The Tropical Depression was located about 180 kilometres west‑southwest of Nadi earlier today. It is moving west‑southwest at 10 kilometres per hour. The associated rain bands and active trough continue to affect the country.

Forecast to midnight tonight for the Fiji group - Strong northerly winds with an average speed of 55 kilometres per hour  and momentary gusts to 75 kilometres per hour.

Periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms over Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Lau and Lomaiviti group. Expect occasional showers with isolated heavy falls and possible thunderstorms elsewhere.

Seas will be rough to very rough.

The all clear has not been given by the Nadi Weather Office as the heavy rain, flood and strong wind warnings remain for Fiji.

1,545 people are sheltering in 88 evacuation centres around the country.

The National Disaster Management Office has confirmed that 468 people are sheltering in evacuation centres in the Eastern Division, 572 are staying at evacuation centres in the Central Division, 343 people are staying at centres in the Northern Division and 162 people are currently living in evacuation centres in the Western Division.                       

1,812 families are still living in tents around the country.

Meanwhile Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama visited evacuees at Vashisht Muni Primary School in Navua.

Roads:

Queens Road is now open to all traffic however some parts are only operating on single lane.

Kings Road is closed between Korovou to Rakiraki.

SITUATION UPDATE

Flood waters are still rising in Baulevu Road, Nausori.

7 to 10 houses also got affected by flood waters at Waidradra settlement.    

The Waisasa bridge is also flooded and people have been advised to move to Baulevu High School.

Access has been cut off for residents living along Waidra and Koroqaqa settlements.

The water level is also increasing and has started to enter 10 houses in Lal Singh Road in Waila.

The flood water level in Koronivia is also rising at this hour.

Meanwhile flood waters in Jalim Avenue and Lokia are also rising.

Many houses have been affected in the Western Division as a result of flooding due to continuous heavy rain.

Ra:     

Divisional Planning Officer West Sitiveni Tavaga says 14 villages and settlements have been affected in the Ra province.

Tavaga says some of the villages were partly affected while some were underwater

He says Rakiraki Town can be accessed now as flood waters have receded.

Tavaga adds that the town can only be accessed from the road from Tavua to Rakiraki as the road from Rakiraki town to Korovou is still closed due to flooding in some areas, however water levels are beginning to recede.

The sun is out in Rakiraki and the Rakiraki Town Council is now cleaning up the town.

Tavua:

Tavua Town is cleared and the only reports of flooding so far are at Qalela and Yaladro roads.

The sun is also out in Tavua.

Ba:

Ba has no reports of flooding.

Tavaga says they are monitoring the situation.

Nadi:

Nadi Town can also be accessed but they are also monitoring the Nadi area for flood reports.

There are 2 evacuation centres in Nadi, Meqania Muslim School with 21 evacuees and St Andrews Primary School with 16 evacuees. 

Tavaga confirms that Namotomoto village was flooded last night due to heavy rain.

Sigatoka:

Sigatoka town is open.

Authorities are working to get villages from Nasigatoka and Yavulo villages to move to the Nasigatoka community hall before the high tide.

Tavaga confirms that he has sent out one of his teams to assess the damages in the Western Division after the Tropical Depression.