Floodwater levels in Nadi, Ba, Tavua, Sigatoka and Rakiraki are slowly receding

The water levels in Nadi, Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki are slowly receding.

This has been confirmed to fijivillage News by the Divisional Police Commander West, Iakobo Vaisewa, where he says it has stopped raining.

Vaisewa says the restriction on movement remains in place for all towns and an assessment will be made later in the morning.

He adds that evacuation centres are still active.

73 families and 312 people are taking shelter at six evacuation centres.

183 people are taking shelter at Andrew’s Primary School, 33 people at the Saoni Methodist Church, 14 at Korovuto College, 7 at the VOU Dance Group Office, 69 at Nalele Community Hall, while 9 are at Tavua District Primary School.

Waicoba Valley and Raiwaqa and Nasau Bridges in Sigatoka are still flooded but floodwater levels are receding as well.

Sigatoka Police Station also confirms that floodwater levels in Sigatoka River is going down.

Floodwater level in Navua River is also receding.

The National Fire Authority say the rain has stopped and no area were flooded.

A Flood Warning remains for flood prone areas adjacent to and downstream of Ba, Nasivi River in Tavua, Nakauvadra River in Rakiraki and Nadi, Sigatoka, Wainibuka, Wainimala, Waidina and Waimanu Rivers and is now in force for Navua River.

A Flood Alert remains in force for flood prone areas adjacent to and downstream of rest of the major rivers in Fiji.

A Flash Flood Warning remains in force for all low lying, flash flood prone areas and small streams of Fiji.

A Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for the whole of Fiji Group.

Possible impacts include major flooding of low lying areas, drainage, properties, small streams, Irish Crossings and business.

It can also cause flooding on major roads causing significant disruption to traffic flow, essential services and power supply, displacement of communities near streams and river banks due to flooding and risk of landslides.

Heavy rain can also cause major flooding of areas downstream of major rivers and coastal areas especially during high tide.

An active trough of low pressure with associated clouds and rain remains slow moving over Fiji.

It is expected to affect the group until Monday.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is urging people to postpone all gatherings until the weather improves.