Flood alert in force for low lying areas

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

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

A flood alert remains in force for the low lying areas and small streams adjacent to Rakiraki Town and downstream of Rakiraki station.

The water level at Rakiraki station was 0.03 meters below alert level and decreasing.

At 7pm the level at Waimanu Station was 5.07meters which is 0.07 meters above the warning level but the level is decreasing. 

The Tropical Depression was located at about 370KM West North West of Nadi at 7pm this evening.

An associated trough of low pressure and active rain bands continue to affect the country. 

The depression is expected to move gradually South South East from tomorrow. 

It has a moderate to high chance of developing into a Tropical Cyclone in the next 18 to 30 hours. 

That is the centre of the system and you will feel strong winds and experience continuous heavy rain from today into tomorrow and Saturday.

There is a chance of the depression becoming a Category 1 Tropical Cyclone by midday tomorrow.

However Nadi Weather Office Director, Ravin Kumar says the main issue for Fiji is continuous heavy rain, flash flooding and river flooding.

Kumar says they continue to assess the system.

He says the winds may not be the immediate threat but the rain can create a lot of problems.

Back in 2012, places like Nadi were flooded for days during the tropical depression.

A Category 1 Tropical Cyclone has wind speeds of up to 125 kilometres per hour which can cause minimal house damage.

It will damage unsecured structures, crops and trees.

Boats may also drag moorings.

Seas will become very rough and visibility will be poor.

The major concern from today is localised heavy and flash flooding, with increased chances of flooding of major rivers in the western and northern divisions.

Please do not leave things to the last minute.

On to the situation report:

The Fiji Roads Authority has confirmed that Kings and Queens roads remain open for now but they continue to monitor the situation.

Members of the public are advised to be cautious when accessing side roads and low-lying areas prone to flooding.

FRA is urging members of the public to take heed of the advisories from relevant authorities and not to attempt to cross flooded roads or low level crossings.

Meanwhile there are some Fiji Airways and FijiLink flight disruptions.

Please contact Fiji Airways for further details.

There are also power disruptions from Wainadoi to Sigatoka.

People in Qauia in Lami are ready to move their belongings and family members if the flood waters continue to rise.

Speaking to Fijivillage, Marika Katonivere says he has already moved his belongings to the Methodist Church Hall and his grandchildren are now safe.

Another resident from Qauia, Salote Suvavou told us that people in her area will move to high ground if the situation goes out of hand.

Five families have moved to the Methodist Church Hall.

At around midday today, Qauia Bridge in Lami was under about 3 feet of water.

We also witnessed a boy getting pulled out of the fast flowing river by other people after he fell off Qauia Bridge. 

Qauia Bridge underwater

Meanwhile families have already moved from Wailea Settlement in Vatuwaqa to Kabir Temple Hall at Viria Road.

Resident Shakuntala Devi told Fijivillage that flood waters had entered her house and she was trying to get her family to the Kabir Hall.

A number of families have moved to the evacuation centre.

We also witnessed a number of children playing in flood waters in Wailea.

A landslide also occurred at Kalokolevu Village and buried a house.

Police Chief of Operations ACP Rusiate Tudravu says luckily no one was injured in the incident.

13 to 15 families of Wainividio Settlement of Navua are now moving to Vashist Muni School following the flood water rise and the flooding of their homes.

A resident at Wainividio says they will be moving to the school soon as they expect their home to be under water soon.

She says they sheltered at a house however it may be flooded as well if the heavy rain continues.

The resident says it will be safer if they move to the evacuation centre with their families.

Meanwhile a resident at Nakaulevu in Navua says flood water is still rising.

He says the water level have risen rapidly for the past few hours.

Fijivillage has also got confirmation that water levels are rising in the Sawani area in Naitarisi however we have confirmation that there is no flooding yet.

National Disaster Management Office confirms that they are monitoring the situation.

NDMO is monitoring water levels in the Dawasamu and Wainibuka rivers.

People are advised that Waila Bridge at Nabaitavo in Vunidawa is closed to all traffic.

Residents of most parts of Navua including Nakaulevu, Calia, Waidradra and Raiwaqa have confirmed that flood waters are rising in their area every hour.

Rakshi Prasad of Waidradra says flood waters have entered her compound and if it gets worse than they will have to move to higher ground.

Photo sent in by Rakshi Prasad in Waidradra, Navua

Meanwhile Salvin Singh of Nakaulevu in Rampur Road, says the flood water level has risen to four feet in Nakaulevu and some residents have been relocated to the Rampur Schools.

In Nausori, Baulevu Road at Shantiniketan Primary School is closed to all traffic.

Heavy rain is continuing in the area.

Toga Bridge in Koronivia is also underwater and closed to all traffic while Koroi Road in Sawani is also flooded.

The Naqeledamu and Buiduna bridges in Tailevu have been closed due to rising flood waters.

This has been confirmed by the Provincial Administrator’s Office in Tailevu.

Rotuma is currently experiencing heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas.

Strong winds and rough seas are also being experienced in Kadavu.

There are no reports of flooding in the Western and Northern divisions.

We will continue to provide you the latest weather updates on Fijivillage.

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