The raging floods in the western division have claimed a life.
Police are now urging members of the public to be careful during this time of adverse weather conditions.
The call comes after a 19 year old was washed away by strong currents in Rarawai, Ba, this morning.
Ba Police have confirmed the 19 year old was trying to cross the flooded Rarawai flats at about 10 this morning when the incident happened.
His body was recovered earlier this afternoon.
A message to everyone, “Please do not try to go and see or cross the flooded areas as incidents like these can occur”.
Curfew Imposed In Nadi Town
A 12 hour curfew has been imposed in the Nadi Town area for safety and security reasons after the flash flooding this morning.
With high tide approaching this afternoon and flood waters already in Nadi Town, Commissioner Western Joeli Rokovada has confirmed that a curfew has been imposed for Nadi Town from 6 o'clock tonight to 6am tomorrow.
Rokovada said they will assess the situation tomorrow morning and decide whether the curfew hours should be extended.
So for those living in Nadi or heading towards the Jet Set Town, stay away from the town area due the curfew.
1400 Now In Evac Centers
Over 1400 people are now taking shelter at the various evacuation centers in the Western Division and DISMAC officers are bracing for the worst with high tide expected in the next hour, increasing the prospects of more flooding.
Deputy Director Patilia Dobui said 12 evacuation centers are open and they would activate more if the need arises.
Dobui said arrangements are being made to provide water and food rations to the evacuation centers in Nadi and Tailevu and Tavua.
As heavy rain continues in the Ba area, three more villages are being evacuated due to rising flood waters.
Some 400 men, women and children of Votua village in Ba had to scramble through the darkness amidst heavy rain and strong winds to make their way to safety at the Votua Catholic School after flood waters started to enter their homes early this morning.
School Headteacher and Votua villager Mere Nasaumalumu said the villagers also tried to bring with them food and whatever belongings they could get hold of last night.
She said they are utilizing the food the families managed to bring with them while they are now running low on clean drinking water.
She said the men may venture back into the flooded village to try and look for food items which have not been damaged in their homes to prepare for dinner tonight.
DISMAC also confirmed that 300 villagers of Nawaqarua and 150 people from Natutu village are expected to move to the Votua Catholic School this afternoon where they are expected to spend the night.
They said arrangements are being made to provide emergency rations after an assessment is carried out of the situation at the school.
Ba Prepares For Nightfall
The Ba Mayor had a meeting with the Ba Police, National Fire Authority officials, the District officer and some government officials to put plans in place for tonight.
Pravin Bala said they were caught off-guard yesterday during flooding and do not want to get into a situation like that again.
Water is receding on the main street in Ba however it is raining heavily as I speak.
Ba mayor Pravin Bala said all the other places in Ba town and outside Ba is still flooded and is calling on people to stay inside their homes instead of coming to town to have fun.
Police in Lautoka are closely monitoring the situation in Lautoka while some villagers are still taking shelter at two evacuation centres.
Police Media Liaison Officer Wame Bautolu said flood waters have entered Qalitu Village and Matawalu village and 44 houses in Lomolomo are under flood waters and they are taking shelter at United Pentecostal Church and Lovu Sangam School.
Meanwhile, Waimalika Flats near Sabeto which was closed in the morning and is now open to traffic.
He added the situation could worsen after high tide this afternoon.
Take Precaution Labasa Mayor Urges
The people of Labasa are now worried that the Labasa River may burst its banks this afternoon during high tide.
Labasa Mayor Shivlal Nagindas is calling on the people in Labasa to take precaution now as there are no evacuation centres in the North.
Kadavu Houses Lose Roofs
Strong winds and heavy rain experienced on the island of Kadavu early this morning caused extensive damages to many houses and villagers have been busy cleaning up the debris.
Namuana villager Waisea Koroiqica said early this morning many houses in the village had their roofs blown away while the Vunisea jetty is also damaged.
No Water For Lami/Delainavesi
Residents in Lami and Delainavesi are currently without water supply due to dirty water from the Tamavua reservoir.
Works Ministry spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete confirmed that due to debris in the Waimanu Treatment Plant, they are facing some technical problems and engineers are working on the problem.
She said they are hoping to have water restored by this evening or residents would have to wait until early tomorrow morning for normal supply.
Water trucks are being arranged to cart water to the Lami and Delainavesi this afternoon.
Feature
Floods claim first life
