As Category 3 Tropical Cyclone Mal slowly moves away from Fiji, the general public have been urged to refrain from making unnecessary movement and limit travel.

Relevant authorities are working to restore all critical infrastructure that has been damaged by the Category 3 system.

National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) Director Vasiti Soko said this is done for public safety.

“We ask members of the public to stay at home and avoid any unnecessary roaming around affected areas as authorities rush to carry out maintenance works to restore some critical infrastructure that was damaged overnight by TC Mal,” Ms Soko said.

“There have been reports of fallen of fallen live powerlines and debris obstructing accessibility in parts of the country received by our team this morning.

“We want reiterate that public safety is of paramount importance to us and this is why we plead with the general public to limit any unnecessary travel,” Ms Soko said.

Flash flooding is also expected in flood-prone and low-lying areas in Viti Levu, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) continues to advise the general public to take necessary precautionary measures to ensure their safety during such times.

“Members of the public must continue to remain vigilant and to stay up-to-date with the latest weather updates from the Fiji Meteorological Services. Heed advisories issued by authorities and act accordingly. We are not out of the woods yet, so please continue to remain on high alert,” Ms Soko said.

A total of 182 evacuation centers are active across the four divisions.

The main focus of the NDMO is to ensure that evacuees who have been billeted in designated evacuation centers that have been active for the past 48 hours are assisted.

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