We start off our Flood Update this hour with a curfew declared in Ba, Lautoka, Nadi and Sigatoka.
Police Deputy Director Operations, Erami Raibe confirms that the curfew period starts from 6 o’clock tonight to 6am tomorrow.
Raibe said they are closely monitoring the situation in Labasa and a curfew may also be declared there if the need arises.
Flood Warning Issued For Whole Of Fiji Group
A severe flood warning has been issued for the whole of the Fiji group and a strong wind warning is now in force for the Fiji group and Rotuma. A warning has also been issued for severe flooding of major rivers.
Nadi Weather Office Director, Rajendra Prasad has now issued a warning that Labasa Town will be flooded later today and people need to take urgent action now.
Prasad said the whole of Viti Levu also need to prepare for this escalating situation.
As we move into nightfall, this is his message.
Labasa river has burst its banks in the higher areas
DISMAC Official Patiliai Dobui is now calling people of Labasa to move to higher grounds as the situation may worsen later in the evening.
Dobui also confirms that people are stranded between Natovi and Nabowalu.
Labasa Mayor, Shiv Lal Nagindass confirms town has been closed for business and they are urging people to move to higher grounds now as flood waters may enter the town by this evening.
Meanwhile, Police Spokesperson, Atunaisa Sokomuri confirms worst fears are now materializing with flood waters now entering the Labasa market area and the Qawa river has also burst its banks in several areas.
He also confirms that some shipping companies are not taking heed of the warnings.
DISMAC Coordinator Northern Samu Saudranu confirms that flood waters from the Labasa river have reached two villages of Nacula and Naqai and people are preparing to evacuate.
Flood waters have now started to enter the Labasa Sugar mill as the Qawa river burst its banks. A mill worker has told Fijivillage that they are trying to salvage whatever they can.
Water Level In The Qawa and Korotari River Continues To Rise
A resident of Baigan Vanua Batanikama, Veer Chand confirms that flood waters have already entered some homes and more people are in danger.
It is also raining heavily now in Savusavu. Police Deputy Director Operations, Erami Raibe said this has affected about 20 houses in Dawara.
In Korovatu, Resident Dev Kumar confirms that people have started to move to higher ground as flood waters continue to rise in the area.
In Urata Bobale, resident Birja Nand Sharma said they flood waters has surrounded close to seven houses and water level is expected to rise later in the evening.
Nadi River About To Burst Its Bank
The Nadi river is about to burst its banks as heavy rain continues.
Nadi Mayor, Timoci Koroiqica has confirmed shopkeepers and people living in low lying areas of Nadi should take precautions now.
He adds the motorists can only cross Nadi town up till 6pm as a curfew will be in place following that.
Koroiqica said they have decided in a meeting with police that curfew will be in place throughout the day tomorrow. He said this will allow council workers and shopkeepers to do cleanup as some people are unnecessarily hindering their work.
Meanwhile, a Nadi resident, Dinesh Pillay said flood waters outside Nadi town are rising rapidly.
In Lautoka,
The Vuda Point Road is inaccessible now as it is now flooded and residents are warning commuters who use the road to get to Lautoka.
Speaking to Fijivillage news, Vuda Point resident, Vinay Prakash said about 20 houses have flood waters coming in.
The water level in Natabua is rising rapidly and Natabua is now under two feet of water and residents are now trying to move to higher ground.
Speaking to Fijivillage news, Natabua resident, Rajnit Prasad said they are trying to get residents to the nearby SARU settlement.
Prasad has called on the relevant authorities to come in and help the residents to move to higher ground.
Mohammad Shamil of Drasa Lautoka said he is on his way to provide food to some people who are not able to go to their homes and are taking shelter at a cafe.
Flood Waters Again Enter Shops In Ba Town
Flood waters have again entered some shops in Ba town.
A resident Anil Amin said flood waters increased rapidly in the last three hours.
All telephone lines in the Ba area are down.
Telecom Lautoka has confirmed that there are some problems with the telephone cables due to the flooding and all the landlines in the Ba area are down.
It is still not known when the cables will be repaired as many areas in Ba are still flooded. Many mobile fones are also down in the west as people cannot charge their phones due to the unavailability of electricity.
