Flash floods are wreaking havoc in Ba, Nadi and Rakirakia as heavy rain continues this morning with DISMAC still in the dark on the number of families who have had to flee from their homes due to rising flood waters last night.
Flood waters have entered Nadi town with the main street now under water.
Nadi Police confirm that around 50 people are taking shelter at the evacuation center at the Old Government Supplies building after flood waters entered their homes.
Nadi resident Krishna Prasad told Fijivillage news that over 25 homes are under flood water on the outskirts of Nadi town.
Nadi Town Mayor Timoci Koroiqica said Nadi town cannot be accessed at this stage as they are experiencing one of the worst floods in over a decade.
DISMAC Official Aisea Quminakelo say they are working with the Police in the affected areas, however as flood waters rose rapidly last night, they are unable to confirm the number of families who are now taking shelter at various evacuation centers or seeking shelter with neighbours on high ground.
Close to 30 houses are under water in Navakai in Nadi as the residents wait to be evacuated this morning.
A resident Shalma Begum said they are trying their best to get assistance from the Police as most of them are badly affected by the flood water from last night.
Also Hundreds of motorists are stuck on both ends of Nadi town as flood waters continue to rise.
In the road leading to Nadi town from the Sigatoka end, cars are lining up from the Jack Store warehouse near the Nadi Bridge to Korovuto village which is about 3 Kilometres.
Air-Pacific flight attendant Mili Naituiyaga who was on her way to work this morning is one of those people who is stranded.
Naituyaga said more than 100 cars are lining up the Queens highway on the road to Nadi town.
The Bridge at Waimalika, Nadi has also been closed to all the traffic while the Nadi back road and Namotomoto roads are also closed due to flooding.
Those in Nabitu Settlement, Sigatoka have been moved to Nabitu Secondary School as water levels continue to rise.
A family of 8 is stranded at a timber yard in Ba town. Pravin Lata told Fijivillage news that they need assistance immediately.
There is more than four feet of flood waters in Ba town.
National Operations Command Centre at CPS has confirmed that their officers are using fiber glass boats in the main town to travel across. There is also no power supply in Ba area since yesterday morning.
Ba Mayor, Pravin Bala confirms that the central urban area of Ba town is under 1 metre of flood water and most shops have been affected.
According to Bala, flood waters started to enter the town around 12 this morning. He said it’s difficult to say at this stage as to how many people have been affected.
Nasolo village in Ba is also under water and villagers are moving to higher ground.
In Rakiraki, a resident Sanjeet Maharaj said as a result of the heavy downpour last night many houses have been flooded.
In Lautoka, resident from Qalitu Janen Prasad said there is four feet of water in the area and people are stranded in their homes.
Spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete said PWD teams are out on the ground to survey the affected areas. She also confirms that some roads leading in and out of Lautoka town are under water.
Waqainabete also confirms that water levels are rising in the Tailevu area and some bridges and crossing are under flood waters.
Tourists, Staff Stranded On Denarau Island
Hotel workers at Denarau Island will not be able to go to work this morning as the road towards Denarau has been closed due to the heavy downpour which resulted in flooding.
According to Timoci Veiqaravi, a chief security of Denarau, night shift staff slept at the hotel last night so they will have to work morning shift today. Veiqaravi also said the hotel guests are also affected by the flood as they will not be able to cross to the mainland.
Meanwhile hotel affected include, Sheraton Fiji Resort, Sofitel, Westin Island Resort and Spa, Radisson, Golf Terrace Apartments and Denarau Golf and Racquet Club.
Weather Office Warns Of More Severe Flooding
The Nadi Weather office has warned of more severe flooding mostly in the Western parts of the country later today.
Director Rajendra Prasad said as a result of the indirect effect of the Tropical Depression moving away from the country and heavier rainfall is expected mostly in Western parts of Vitilevu.
He said there was over 400mm of rainfall in the last 36 hours and the flooding in Nadi town is the worst since 1999.
Prasad adds people should not think that the threat is over and they should take the warnings seriously.
Several Roads Closed, Various Crossings Washed Away
The Ministry of Works has revealed that several roads have been closed while various crossings have been washed away due to flash floods.
Spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete said PWD teams are out on the ground to survey the affected areas and ascertain which areas remain in-accessible.
Waqainabete also confirms that the Naqali Bridge and the Wainibuka bridges in the Central Division are closed to all traffic.
The following roads have been closed in Rakiraki:
The Waimari road, FSC road, Rakiraki Village Access road, Lau and Dawa Road, Vunikavikaloa, Dreketi Road and Vaileka Town road, Korotare Valley Road, Barotu Circular, Burelevu Road, Nabalabala Road, the Burenitu Vatukacevaceva and Nausori Road.
The Kings Road and the Matase Road has been opened to four wheel drives only while the Vunitoga flat is underwater and closed to all traffic.
In Tavua, the Qalena Road and the Irish crossing, Yaladra road, Tavualevu Bridge, Natawa Bridge, Drumasi, Naseyani, Naqelai road, Nadarivatu road, Navai Road are all closed.
In Lautoka, Saru back road, Vaivai Road, Navula Road, the Vuda road have all been closed due to flooding.
The highway between Savusavu and Labasa has been closed to all traffic. This after a landslide occurred at lomolomo last night.
Police Spokesperson, Atunaisa Sokomuri confirms from Labasa that they continue to experience heavy rain and situation may get worse later today.
Feature
Flood Waters Enter Nadi Town
