Number of areas still affected by flood-waters in Labasa

The owner of Savilla House which is situated in Labasa says floodwaters from Labasa river is slowly receding.

Dr Kishore Kumar says waters had risen above the level of the river bank earlier today.

We have also received reports that flood waters had reached Labasa Market but had not reached the main streets of Labasa town.

Most of the shops in Labasa town have been closed and staff have been sent home, however, some major supermarkets are still open.

Roads:

The Fiji Roads Authority has confirmed that Bulileka and Wainikoro roads are inaccessible while the Nabouwalu side is open.

130 people are currently taking shelter at four evacuation centres in the Northern Division.

Divisional Police Commander Northern SSP Eparama Waqa says the evacuees are from Noadamu Housing, Vunimoli Housing and residents staying near Qawa River.

Waqa says while flood waters are receding slowly and there has not been any heavy rain in the last few hours, he is still urging people to be cautious as the weather office is issued a heavy rain warning for the Northern Division.

Flood waters had almost reached 22 homes in Tugurara in Labasa this morning.

Resident Zarine Khan has confirmed that due to the heavy rain last night, over 22 houses in the area had water reaching up to their houses.

Residents in the area have no water or power.

Soasoa resident Mohammed Ali has confirmed that areas such as Vunika, Dogoloa, Mataniwai, Ramibulu, and Taganikula are still flooded.

Thousands of residents are stuck as the Soasoa Crossing and road are closed to all traffic.

Flood waters have made roads including Soasoa bridge inaccessible to thousands of residents in Soasoa in Labasa this morning.

Resident, Dharshika Deo has confirmed to LegendFM News that heavy rain experienced last night has also cut off power supply to the Soasoa community.

Meanwhile, William Allen of Batinikama Settlement says he is stranded in Vunivau village along with 5 other families while trying to return from a reguregu they attended last night.

He says it began to rain heavily at around midnight and water levels began to rise quickly and since last night access to Vunivau bridge has been cut off due to flood waters.

Allen adds that more than 300 families in the Vunivau community are unable to access the main roads due to flood waters and they are still waiting for water levels to recede.

Other areas that are still affected by flood waters include Batinikama, Vunivau and Bulileka.

All roads in Savusavu Town are open to all traffic.

This has been confirmed by Savusavu Police.

They have also confirmed that areas in Savusavu that are affected by flood waters include Nabalebale village, Vunivesi village, Dagata, Savudrodro and Belego Settlement.

Nabalebale village Turaga ni Koro, Antonio Batavotavo has confirmed that farms are the worst affected by flood waters that have now receded.

He adds that several farmers have also lost livestock due to the flooding, however, villagers are now working to slowly clean areas that were affected by flood waters.