Water levels are rising rapidly in the Rewa River and residents are being urged to prepare for the worst as the Nausori town is expected to be flooded by five this afternoon.
DISMAC Official Chandra Prakash told Fijivillage news that the river is rising an inch every hour.
DISMAC Deputy Diector Pajilia Dobui said they are keeping their fingers crossed and have activated evacuation centers in the Rewa delta.
A Nausori resident Ashnil Singh says flood waters are now entering the carpark and the Nausori Airport as flood water is overflowing from a bridge nearby.
All villages located beside the Wainibuka and Rewa river are flooded.
Fijivillage News have received updates from the village of Naganivatu, Natoa-ika, Nacoka-ika and Deladamanu that these villages have been flooded this morning with close to 30 homes been affected.
Also in Baulevu and Muaniweni it is like a sea of brown water with farms and more than 20 homes under flood water.
In the province of Rewa the village of Nasali, Burebasaga, Lokia and Vatuyaba are still flooded with fears that it might get worse when the high tide this evening.
While in Wainibuka there is no sign of a decrease in the flooding water and the village of Nukuloa, Wailotua, Lutu, Nabita, Nailega and Bucalevu are still flooded.
Some 10 homes are now under flood waters in Baulevu, Naitasiri.
A resident Dinesh Lal all they can see a flood waters and all their plantations have been destroyed.
Baulevu Families Flee To Higher Ground
Families in Baulevu have started to flee to higher ground as flood waters have started to enter their homes.
A resident Jay Ravinesh who is currently wading through the flooded areas to assist those in need said the water levels are rising rapidly and people are trying to salvage whatever they can from their homes.
He said all the dalo and vegetable fields are flooded and many families don't have food.
Residents living in Waila Nausori are calling for Police assistance as flood water continues to rise.
Resident Avinesh Ram said about 10 houses are now affected.
The village of Nabita, Bucalevu and Nailega in the district of Wainibuka in the province of Tailevu has been flooded for the past two days.
Speaking to Fijivillage News, Pastor Orisi Lutunaivalu said most of the houses in these 3 villages are flooded since yesterday morning with all of their belongings swept away by the flash floods.
The 60 year old, Lutunaivalu said their farms which are their only source of income are also been badly affected with crops like dalo and cassava damaged.
In Nabita and Bucalevu 50 houses are flooded while in Nailega close to 30 houses have also been affected.
In the village of Lutu in Wainibuka 30 houses were flooded which also includes the nursing station and the Lutu District School.
Still in Wainibuka the village of Wailotua and Nabouva are also flooded although water levels have started to recede slowly.
In the Rewa province the village of Burebasaga, Lokia, Nasali and Vatuyaba are flooded with more than 10 houses in each village under flood waters.
In Naitasiri, Viria village and Nukuloa are flooded with most parts of the village affected.
State Of Emergency Declared
A State of Emergency has been declared for the whole of the Western Division.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Chairman of the Natural Disaster Committee and Interim Minister for Defence and Immigration Ratu Epeli Ganilau confirms that the decision was made by the Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama based on the advise of the Committee.
He confirms that the State of emergency which will be effective for 30 days from today.
Deputy Director Police Operations SP Erami Raibe said due to the curfew and the State of Emegency, any one found loitering around the flooded areas will be taken in by Police.
Labasa Residents Bracing For Worst
Residents of Labasa are bracing for the worst this evening and businesses have started to relocate their stocks and secure their property before the next high tide comes in at around 6 this evening.
Labasa Mayor Shivlal Nagindas said the weather is getting worse and they are advising people living in flood prone areas to take necessary precautions.
Police Spokesperson Atunaisa Sokomuri added that due to strong winds experienced the Nabouwalu jetty has been closed to all vessels. Some of the roads in the Northern Division have also been closed to all traffic.
Labasa Police are closely monitoring the situation as strong winds and heavy rain is now being experienced by people in the Northern Division.
Sokomuri said they are ready as the weather is expected to worsen during the day.
Eight evacuation centers have been identified in the Northern Division.
Police Spokesperson Atunaisa Sokomuri who is currently in Labasa said those residents who fear that there is a danger of their house being flooded, they are requested to move to the evacuation centers while it is still daylight.
The evacuation centers are: Sangam Primary School, Naqai Community Hall, Bulileka Secondary School, Valebasoga Secondary School, Qawa primary school, Civic Centre, Vunimoli Secondary school, Korotari Indian College.
Flood Waters Receding in Ba, Nadi
The weather is improving in Ba with flood waters receding.
A resident Mohammad Haroon said the water levels are gradually going down in all areas.
Meanwhile, Nadi Mayor, Timoci Koroiqica said water level in Nadi has receded.
Nadi Businesses Take Stock Of Extensive Damages
Businesses in Nadi are now taking stock of the extensive damages to their property as flood water continues to recede in the area.
Nadi Businessman Mohammad Riaz Ali told Fijivillage that his shop and warehouse have been severely damaged. According to Ali they there is no insurance cover for their stock and businesses will have to shoulder the burdens to try and recover.
However Ali said they are glad to finally see some sunshine in Nadi.
In Ba, the town is still under 10 feet of flood waters and hundreds of people who are affected continue to take shelter at the various evacuation centers waiting for waters to recede.
DISMAC confirms that evacuation centres have increased from 41 to 48 this morning after the rise in flood waters since last night. A total of 2340 people are at the 48 centres.
Remain Indoors-Ministry
People are being urged to please refrain from using the major highways at this stage as several roads remain flooded around the country.
Ministry Spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete said 90 percent of roads in Sigatoka, Rakiraki, Ba, Nadi, Tavua and around the Waibuka and Tailevu areas are flooded and remain closed to all traffic.
She said people should remain in-doors.
Waiqanabete also advises that several roads in Lautoka, Tavua, Nadroga and surrounding areas are closed to traffic.
Waqainabete also confirms that there is currently no water supply in Ba, Rarkiraki, Tavua areas, Nadi and Sigatoka while several areas around Viti Levu are also without power supply due to flooding.
People are advised to try and collect and store as much rain water as possible as engineers will not be able to go in to assess the situation until flood water recede.
