Sixty-five villagers from Barotu Village, Rakiraki took shelter at the Nabalebale Hall in Barotu after flood waters entered their houses around 1am yesterday.

Provincial Administrator Ra, Elimi Rokoduru, confirmed 30 families were evacuated to the Nabalebale hall in Barotu.

Villager Rosalia Soma, said they had to move from the river end of the village around midnight yesterday.

“65 of us are at the evacuation centre, including 30 children,” Ms Soma said.

She said five more families were taking shelter at another house in the flooded area of the village which was not accessible yesterday.

“Five more families are stuck in the village.

“They could not escape on time yesterday,” she said.

The village could be accessed once the flood waters recede in the area.

Ms Soma said that she did not know by when she would be able to return to her house.

Meanwhile, Mr Rokoduru said Burelevu Road was closed for all traffic because of the flooding and the situation from the other side of the bridge was uncertain yesterday.

Edited by Paula Tuvuki

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