The Nadi Weather Office, Police, DISMAC and the Works Ministry are warning people to stay indoors and not to try and cross or swim in flooded rivers, streams and culverts as strong currents have now claimed two lives.
A 31 year old man was washed away by strong currents yesterday while trying to cross the Rarawai Flats in Ba while another man was washed away by strong currents after swimming with a friend in the Wailoa River in Monasavu.
Works Ministry spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete said that people have been known to misjudge the strength of the water and this has proven fatal.
Waqainabete is calling on people not to move from where they have sought refuge unless given the all clear.
Roads report
Travelers, please note that the Kings Road and the Nadi Back Road are closed to all traffic.
On the Queens Road, there have so far been no reports of flooding with traffic given the all clear.
Works Ministry spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete confirmed that the Kings Road is still closed to all traffic.
Deputy Director Operations Superintendent of Police Erami Raibe has ordered all punts transporting people at the Naqali Bridge crossing to refrain from doing so for safety reasons.
Senior DISMAC officer Laisenia Natila said Nadi Town is so far clear for traffic.
Motorists cross Nadi
The Nadi Mayor confirmed that motorists have been able to cross the flooded main street of Nadi to go to the Nadi Airport or come to Suva.
He has also called on people not to enter the town without a valid reason.
Ba Mayor Praveen Bala said the council has decided to carry out a cleanup campaign in Ba Town from this afternoon if the weather clears as heavy rainfall still continues in Ba.
He added there is a possibility that flood waters may rise in Ba Town again and they do not want to waste their resources by cleaning up this morning.
He confirmed only the Ba Main Street is clear however other roads and areas in town remain under flood waters.
Ba Police said to refrain from entering the town without a valid reason.
Power Pole Falls
People travelling from Suva to Nausori via Princess Road have been advised to use an alternative route as an FEA pole has fallen across the road.
Motorist Rishi Dutt has confirmed that it is dangerous for motorists to try to cross this road.
The FEA are expected to comment later.
Flood waters continue to rise
Flood waters are rising in certain areas as witnessed by residents this morning.
A resident of Nakavu, Nadi, Sushila Ramesh said if heavy rainfall continues, the situation could be as worse as yesterday.
Nadi businessman Dinesh Pillay said the Nadi Back Road is still underwater.
Waimaro, Naitasiri, resident Koroi Siganivalu said that the Waidina River level is rising rapidly and urges villagers to move their animals to higher ground and to uproot their root crops beside the river.
The Nadi Weather Office said to expect more rain and strong winds this weekend with a trough of low pressure moving closer to Fiji.
Nadi Weather Office director Rajendra Prasad said people need to take precautions now and next week.
Prasad said it will be more wet next week.
1094 sleep in Evac Centres
1,094 people slept overnight in the 15 evacuation centres in the Western Division.
This has been confirmed by senior DISMAC officer Laisenia Natila who said that people have been taken care of.
Natila also added with the weather improving slightly, the number of evacuees has decreased as people have gone back to their homes.
Feature
2 washed away by strong currents
