by Martin Haffner Associate Editor
Fiji police has issued restrictions on movements in Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki town due to major flooding Photo: Fiji Police
An active trough of low pressure hoovering over the Fiji group has brought with it heavy rain, causing major flooding in parts of the country.
The Director of the Fiji Meteorological Service Misaeli Funaki said the trough moved over Fiji a few days ago, causing flooding in mainly the Western part of the country, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki and Nadi.
“And yet again, another trough approaches from the west right now. We are going through the same episode again in some of these places that were affected previously, and in some places the water still hasn’t receded over the last couple of days.
And now we are expecting more rain, and unfortunately in some of these places water will rise again,” he said.
Funaki said the bad weather is expected to last for the next couple of days, adding that it’s just an active trough and will not develop into a cyclone.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for the whole Fiji group.
A flood warning remains in force for flood prone areas adjacent to and downstreams of Ba, Nasivi (Tavua) Nakauvadra (Rakiraki), Nadi, Sigatoka, Wainibuka, Wainimala, Waindina and Waimanu rivers.
The possible impacts from the bad weather are:
- Major flooding of low-lying areas, drainage, properties, small streams, Irish crossing and business.
- Flooding on major roads causing significant disruption to traffic flow, essential services and power supply.
- Displacement of communities near streams and riverbanks due to flooding and risk of landslides.
- Major flooding of areas downstream of major rivers and coastal areas especially during high tide.
Bad weather continues across parts of Fiji.
Police restrictions
The Fiji Police Force has issued restrictions on movements in Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki town on Friday.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACPO) Livai Driu said water has started to enter shops in towns, and therefore, it is not safe for people to be moving in and out of the three towns.
He said these restrictions will also ensure the safety of the three town’s infrastructure.
“We are taking this precaution because of everyone’s safety. This is also done to protect the properties in town from opportunists,” said ACP Driu.
Evacuation centres
Four evacuation centres are currently active in the Western Division, with 226 people taking shelter in them.
Driu said the number of evacuation centres is expected to rise along with its number of evacuees if rain continues.
“At the moment the main highway from Ba to Rakiraki is closed to all Traffic. Tavua Town from the entrance is not accessible anymore.”
ACP Driu said Ba town entrance is closed all traffic.
He said Police standby teams have already started evacuating people from disaster areas and will continue to be on standby tonight (Friday).
