Rakiraki town closed as flood waters continue to rise in number of areas

Access in and out of Rakiraki Town has been cut off as a number of roads in Rakiraki are flooded and flood waters continue to rise.

The Station Officer of Rakiraki Police Station, Inspector Arvind Anand has confirmed this and adds that Rakiraki Town is also closed.

He says Qalau Road, Naqoro Flats and the FSC road are under three to four feet of flood water.

He says the bus stand and market area in Rakiraki Town are under two feet of flood water.

Anand says the situation will worsen in the next hour and they expect flood waters to enter some shops in the Town.

Anand says students of Penang Sangam High School and Rakiraki Public School were sent home earlier today as the schools are in flood-prone areas.

A flood alert remains in force for the low lying areas and small streams of Vanua Levu and northern and eastern parts of Viti Levu.

The Nadi Weather Office says a heavy rain warning is also in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Group, northern and eastern parts of Viti Levu, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

An active trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain remains slow moving over Fiji. It is expected to affect the group till tomorrow night.