The rains caused by the Tropical Depression O4F (TDOF) will continue to persist and people living in low lying areas need to move to higher ground.

The warning was given yesterday by National Disaster Management Office Director, Akapusi Tuifagalele, during a press conference in Suva.

“People living in Rewa are advised to move to higher grounds for their own safety and they should refrain from moving around in the night as accidents were prone to happen in flooded areas,” Mr Tuifagalele said.

He said Vanua Levu and Lomaiviti still experienced heavy rain.

Mr Tuifagalele said the tsunami warning for Fiji due to an earthquake in Papua New Guinea had been cancelled.

He said major roads like Kings Roads remained closed due to flooded bridges, roads and landslides.

Mr Tuifagalele said most areas in Wainibuka and Naitasiri were still under water.

He said a flood warning still remained for Rewa as the Rewa River had burst its banks.

A flood alert is also issued for Keyasi in Sigatoka and Labasa. People living in maritime areas are slo advised to be vigilant as the seas were still rough with wind speeds of 25 to 35 knots.

Mr Tuifagalele said catchment in Rewa and Wainibuka had increased.

Mr Tuifagalele said electricity would be restored in some affected areas, shipping and domestic flight services had normalised.

Meanwhile, families living in tents around the country now stand at 3090. Most families living in tents were in Rakiraki with 2158 people alone.

Fifty-eight evacuations centers had been activated around Fiji sheltering around 844 evacuees.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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