68 year old Iromi Dawai of the village of Navoci in Nadi believes the current flash flooding experience in the five villages of Nakavu, Namotomoto, Narewa, Sikituru and Navoci, which are located near the banks of the Nadi river, is similar to what he experienced in 1963.

Dawai who was 22 years old in 1963 said at that time, they used boats as their form of transport to visit the 5 villages and it was the same year too that the old Nadi bridge was washed away by the flood which led to the new bridge been built.

He said the flood in 1999 did not do a lot of damages in these villages compared to the one this morning where he witnessed beds, gas stoves, wardrobes, cupboards and tables floating around those houses that have been affected by the flood.

Dawai added most of the houses which were not flooded in 1999 in the 5 villages are now experiencing flooding and it could be worse than 1963 if there will be heavy rainfall when the tide comes in later this afternoon.

The main transmission line from Rarawai to Vatukoula has been affected by the strong winds which have resulted in most of the Western Division being without power since yesterday.

Fiji Electricity Authority general manager network Om Dutt Sharma said at the moment, their linesmen are currently trying to fix the problem however flood waters are preventing them from getting to their various destinations.

Sharma said those affected span from Sigatoka to Tavua.