Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu confirms Police are working with the National Disaster Management Office and the Fiji Roads Authority in the sharing of information to get help to those in need, as reports of flash flooding continue to be received.
Flooding in Korovisilou | 15/5/24#Weather #fiji pic.twitter.com/jAwqQZ9EM0
— fijivillage (@fijivillage) May 15, 2024
ACP Driu is also cautioning drivers to take necessary precautions and avoid crossing flooded roads.
The Fiji National Disaster Management Office advises people that six areas are presently being impacted by floods due to the heavy rain being experienced in the Central Division.
These areas include Galoa/Waivunu Flats, Nakorovou Flats, Yarawa Flats, Korovisilou, Vunaniu Flats, and Naboutini Flats
The head of the Fiji Police Operations is also pleading with parents and guardians to monitor their children.
ACP Driu says children should avoid playing in flooded areas and supervision is crucial to avoid drowning or any other accident.
He says with today being World Water Safety Day, the main message is prevention is crucial, so keep children indoors, and every decision made should be based on the basis of safety.
Stay with us for developments.
People are advised to take all the necessary precautions as some areas along Queens Highway are flooded including Vunaniu Road and crossing, Somosomo Flats from Nabukelevu Junction and Namaqumaqua Road.
Korovisilou, Talenaua Village, Yarawa Flats, Galoa Road, Naboutini Road and Navutulevu Road in Serua are also flooded.
A number of villages in the Serua Province are flooded.
Korovisilou Village Headman, Ratu Imitai Qaranivalu Sokosoko says they started experiencing heavy rain from yesterday afternoon.
He says vehicles and people cannot cross the main road as it is currently underwater.
Ratu Imitai says the villagers are starting to move to the school as their 8 evacuation centres are also flooded.
The National Disaster Management Office is urging residents living in coastal communities within the Galoa to Naboutini corridor in Serua along Queens Highway to move to higher grounds as more rain is anticipated in the next few hours.
NDMO says according to the Nadi Weather Office, the next high tide is coming in, heightening the risk of flooding in these communities.
They are also pleading with the general public to take warnings issued by the authorities seriously.
A trough of low pressure with associated clouds and showers are expected to affect the country from the North and gradually spread to the rest of the group till Friday.
The Nadi Weather Office says cloudy with some showers over Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lami-Suva-Nausori-Korovou-Rakiraki, the interior of Tailevu North-Naitasiri, Coastal and Interior of Nadroga/Navosa-Serua/Namosi, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti groups are expected.
They say isolated thunderstorms with heavy falls may lead to flash flooding in low-lying areas.
A strong wind warning remains in force for all Fiji waters.
Due to the continuous rain from last night, a landslide has occurred in Talenaua in Serua along Queens Highway.
The Fiji Roads Authority says the road is restricted to single lane access.
Meanwhile, some roads along Queens Road including Vunaniu Road and crossing, Somosomo Flats from Nabukelevu junction- Naboutini is underwater and is only accessible to 4x4 vehicles while Namaqumaqua Road in Navua is closed to traffic, Korovisilou, Talenaua Village, Yarawa Flats, Galoa Road, Naboutini Road and Navutulevu Road in Serua are also flooded.
A trough of low pressure with the associated clouds and showers is expected to affect the country from the North from today until Friday.
The National Disaster Management Office urges residents living in the Galoa-Naboutini corridor in Serua along the Queens Highway to move to higher ground as more rain is expected in the next few hours.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
