Flood warning remains for low lying areas of Labasa

A flood warning remains in force for the low lying areas adjacent to Dreketilailai station and downstream of Boubale bridge at Bulileka in Labasa.

The flood warning is also in force for the Qawa river and low lying areas adjacent to Dewala station and downstream of Labasa river including Labasa town.

A flood warning also remains in force for the low lying areas adjacent to Rakiraki river including Naqoro flat, Rakiraki town and Qalau.

A flood alert is also in force for a number of areas.

This includes low lying areas and areas adjacent to Nayavu station and areas downstream of Wainibuka river, low lying areas and areas adjacent to Navolau station and downstream of Rewa river.

A flood alert is also in force for all small streams, creeks and low lying areas adjacent to major rivers for the whole of Vanua Levu.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for eastern Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller Islands, the Lau group and is now cancelled for the rest of Vanua Levu and the Lomaiviti group.

A Tropical Depression was located about 60km Southeast of Koro and about 140km East-Northeast of Suva at 6am today and is moving southeastwards at about 23km/hour.

On this track the system is expected to move over the group today. An associated trough with rain bands is expected to affect the group till tomorrow.

Looking at the situation on ground:

Police are trying to rescue more people as flood waters continue to rise in a number of low lying areas in Labasa.

Divisional Police Commander Northern Shri Bhuwan Singh said 276 people are in various evacuation centres.

Singh said 64 people are taking shelter at Khalsa College in Labasa, Nacula hall has 62 evacuees, Holy Family Secondary School has 57 people while 93 people are taking shelter at Noadamu Block 9 Hall.

Police have rescued a number of people from Wailevu in Labasa who were sitting on top of their houses as flood waters kept rising and entered their houses.

According to Singh, Korotari, Nagai Village, Nacula Village, Noadamu, Naduna, Nakama, Soasoa, Vunimoli, Wailevu village, Vunika, Makomako in Tabia, Daku and Laqalaqa have been affected by rising flood waters.

Tukavesi village in Seaqaqa is also flooded.

It has also been confirmed that the highway between Tabia and Seaqaqa is closed because of a landslide. Mataniwai road in Naleba is also closed due to a landslide.

In Taveuni, Police said Naselesele village is flooded.