Heavy rain caused flash flooding in Nadi, Ba, Lautoka, Rakiraki, Tavua and Sigatoka yesterday.

A situation report by the Fiji Roads Authority said at 4pm yesterday that eight roads were closed.

The roads closed were:

Savusavu crossing on Lawaki Rd (Dawa or Nasau) in Rakiraki;

Burelevu crossing on Nailuva, Rakiraki;

Navuniyaumunu crossing on Navuniyaumunu Rd in Rakiraki;

Lau crossing on Lau Rd in Rakiraki;

Nausori crossing on Nausori Rd in Rakiraki;

Navala crossing on Navala Rd in Ba;

Naseyani crossing on Naseyani Rd in Tavua; and

Dramasi crossing on Dramasi Rd in Tavua.

The Mission Road in Sigatoka was open to the public but motorists were advised to be cautious as floodwaters from the discharge point were back flowing from the Sigatoka River.

All roads in the Central, Eastern and Northern Division remained open to the general public and the FRA is advising members of the public to take extra precaution while travelling in these conditions and not to drive into water of unknown depth and current.

Meanwhile, reports from the flooded areas confirmed that people were beginning to move cattle and belongings to higher ground.

In Korovuto in Nadi, low lying areas began filling rapidly with flood waters and families were bracing for the worst overnight.

Anil Kumar, 45, said while it was still daylight he was preparing his family.

“Anything can happen overnight. If the river bursts at night we will definitely get flooded so I am moving my family to my parents’ home on the hill in Malolo,” he said.

“All our household items have been packed and stored in the ceilings and some have been taken up also to my parents’ place.”

In Lovu, just outside of Lautoka, people dug drains and waterways clogged to allow accumulated water from debris to flow freely.

Na Draki Weather has advised the public that flooding would worsen if the second spell of bad weather that is projected to hit Fiji brings more rain.

It has urged people to take extra precaution.

In it’s forecast yesterday it said: “Rain continuing heavy at times tomorrow with occasional heavy falls and flooding of low lying areas as humid northwest monsoon winds persist. Rain is expected to ease, at least temporarily later tomorrow as the trough of low pressure moves away and winds tend more southwest to southerly over Fiji.

“Rain will continue to be heavy at times about central and southern Lau for some time tomorrow. Rain easing for a while on Monday before a second band of rain moves over tomorrow night or early morning on Tuesday as a second tropical low depression developing to the northwest near Rotuma on Sunday moves down over Fiji behind this first system.

“More heavy rain is expected with this second tropical low depression and there is the potential for a very serious flood event if it falls in the same places as the rain expected over the coming days.

“A Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for the whole of Fiji while a Flood Alert is in force for all the low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to the major rivers of Fiji.”  Edited by Naisa Koroi

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