Heavy rain and flash flood alerts cancelled

The Fiji Meteorological Service has cancelled the heavy rain alert that was previously in force for the entire Fiji group.

The weather office said a trough of low pressure lay just west of Viti Levu, while another weak trough was affecting the eastern parts of Vanua Levu. Associated cloud and showers were expected to affect some areas until later today, with an east to northeast wind flow prevailing over the country.

Occasional showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast over eastern parts of Viti Levu, including the Greater Suva–Nausori area, Tailevu North, interior Ra, Naitasiri and Serua–Namosi, interior Nadroga–Navosa, the Sigatoka–Coral Coast to Navua, southern Bua and eastern Cakaudrove provinces, the Lau and Lomaiviti groups, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

Cloudy periods with afternoon or evening showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected elsewhere.

The Fiji Meteorological Service said forecast confidence remained high but warned that localised heavy rainfall during thunderstorms could still lead to flash flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

The flash flood alert that had also been in force for the whole of Fiji has been cancelled.

However, the service said a slow-moving trough of low pressure remains to the southwest of the Fiji group, with associated cloud and rain expected to affect most parts of the country until later today.

Despite the cancellation of alerts, the public has been advised to remain cautious, as isolated heavy rain could still cause flash flooding in drainage systems, small streams, low-water bridges, Irish crossings, roads and low-lying properties.