Flooding widespread across Fiji

TD04F brings rain, flooding and landslides

FIJI – The likelihood of a depression to the west of Fiji developing into a cyclone continues to diminish – but authorities still expect widespread flooding to worsen through the weekend.

The weather system, known as TD04F, is currently about 350 kilometres west northwest of Nadi, on the main island of Viti Levu, and is moving southeast at about 12 kph.

The director of the Fiji Meteorological Service, Ravind Kumar, said there is now only a moderate chance of it developing into a tropical cyclone this weekend – but it is still a serious storm.

An official flood alert is in force for all low lying areas and small streams adjacent to major rivers for the whole of Fiji and a general heavy rain warning is in force for whole of Fiji.

A flood alert is active for flood-prone Rakiraki town.

Kumar said some parts of Fiji have had about 100 millimetres of rain in one day, and with the rain expected to hang around for the weekend, a flood alert remains in force for the entire country.

Yesterday afternoon he said people in low-lying areas should decide whether or not to evacuate while it was still daylight.

“Be prepared and take early action so that if they are living in low-lying areas to make the decision while the daylight is there and also to make the move to the safer places if they are living in the low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.”

More than a dozen evacuation centres have been opened for people displaced by rising waters.

There are road closures in the central and western divisions, but the main Queens and Kings roads are open.

The depression comes as Fiji is still recovering from February’s Cyclone Winston, with some communities still living in tents.

Rakiraki Town Council chief executive officer Rakesh Chandra said the weather was good yesterday, but they had plans in place should weather conditions deteriorate.

He said a briefing was held yesterday with National Disaster Management Office

“Some of our shopkeepers have taken some precautions in case the heavy rain does come and it floods.”

- PNC