Thousands of residents in the Lautoka area have been without water since mid-day yesterday.

The Lautoka water supply department has confirmed that the valve supplying water to Rifle Range and other surrounding areas were closed last night due to high water pressure.

The water supply department has confirmed that water supply will normalise by this afternoon.

Residents have complained that authorities did not give any notice before the water cut and have also raised concerns the no water was carted water to thousands of people living in the affected areas.