Sigatoka River level rising

The Sigatoka River level is rising.

The National Disaster Management Office says people living in nearby areas should move to their nearest evacuation centres if the need arises.

The NDMO adds flood waters have started to rise in and around Nadi Town and is calling on people to refrain from making unnecessary movements into flooded areas.

Yaladro, Mataniwai and Dramasi areas remain flooded in Tavua but water level is receding.

According to Tavua Police Station, Tavua Town is not flooded and water level in front of the Shop ‘n’ Save Supermarket has gone down.

Rakiraki Police Station confirms Naqoro and Korotare Flats remain flooded while the Raiwasa Bridge is also under water.

People who were taking shelter in evacuation centres in Ba are moving back to their homes as water levels have gone down.

You can expect more continuous heavy rain in most parts of the country for the next few days and this can cause sudden flooding.

According to the Nadi Weather Office, the rain is being brought by a trough of low pressure which remains slow moving over Fiji and another trough lies slow moving to the northwest of the country and is gradually drifting towards the group.

This means we will continue to experience heavy rain.

A flash flood warning remains in force for all low lying and flash flood prone areas along western Viti Levu from Sigatoka to Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki to Korovou and low lying and flash flood prone areas of Vanua Levu.

A flash flood alert remains in force for low lying and flash flood prone areas for the rest of Viti Levu.

A flood warning remains in force for low lying areas adjacent to and downstream of Nakauvadra, Ba, Nasivi, Vitogo, Nadi, Sabeto, Qawa and Wainibuka rivers. A flood alert remains for low lying areas adjacent to and downstream of Wainibuka River.

A heavy rain warning is still in force for the northern division, northern and western half of Viti Levu, interior of Viti Levu, Yasawa and Mamanuca Group.

A heavy rain alert is also in force for the eastern interior of Viti Levu, southern and eastern parts of Viti Levu, Lomaiviti Group and Kadavu.

Police say you can also reach out to them if you need assistance. Please do not leave things to the last minute and move to a safe area if you know your home can be affected by sudden flooding.

You can call 9905 457 for the Western Police Command Centre, 9905 722 for the Northern Command Centre, 9905 529 for the Southern Command Centre, 9995 563 for the Eastern Command Centre and 8932875 for the Central Command Centre.