A severe flood warning remains in force for the whole of the Fiji group today.
Severe flooding of the major rivers is also expected.
We start off this hour with an update from the northern division.
There is about two metres of flood waters in the Labasa town.
Assistant police spokesperson Atunaisa Sokomuri, who surveyed the area in the last hour, said that flood waters are still rising in the town.
He said there is a complete blackout in Labasa.
Senior DISMAC official Aisea Quminakelo also said Labasa is badly affected and the worst is not over as yet for the northern division.
Curfew To Be Extended
Flood waters have also entered the Labasa Police Station and people are unable to contact police officers for help.
Police Deputy Director of Operations SP Erami Raibe said the Police Quarters are also damaged and nearly all contact lines in Labasa are now down.
The curfew will be extended to Labasa Town this evening after the flash flooding from last night.
Police Deputy Director of Operations SP Erami Raibe said Labasa, Ba, Sigatoka and Nadi towns together with Lautoka city will have a curfew from 6pm this evening to 6am tomorrow.
Raibe added that it is sad to note that despite this warning people continue to come to town during the restricted hours.
He also confirmed that police have found the body of the 17-year-old boy who drowned in Tovu in Rakiraki and the body of a 20-year-old was found in Nawaka river.
Raibe said this has taken the death toll to 6 with 3 people still missing.
According to police spokesperson Atunaisa Sokomuri, police are bracing for the high tide at 9 o'clock this morning, which will see an increase in the water level.
Residents of Nagigi and Korovatu outside Labasa town have fled to higher grounds after flood waters entered their homes and destroyed their belongings and livestock.
Resident Navin Chand said the main road is closed to all traffic as the water level continues to rise.
He added many houses are under 5 feet of flood waters and they are taking shelter at their neighbour’s house.
Floods Close Labasa Roads
Most areas in Labasa have been affected by flooding last night.
Most roads in Labasa have also been closed to all traffic.
These include Wairiki, Naduna, Naduri, Seva, Lakeba, Delaikoro, Urata, Qawa, Wainikoro, Coqeloa, Tiri and Nayarabale roads.
Namau bridge is also closed for to traffic.
Dreketi is also experiencing heavy rain and Nabouwalu jetty has been confirmed as unsafe for the public.
Savusavu is also experiencing heavy rain and is also experiencing water cuts.
There is also a communication breakdown in most parts of Labasa and due to this, people are unable to contact emergency services for help.
High Tide Poses Grave Danger
The trend of extra high tides is posing a grave danger during the flash floods triggered by the heavy downpour that is experienced around the country in the Viti Levu and Vanua Levu regions.
DISMAC principal officer Pajiliai Dobui said people should expect an extra level of high tide and take precautions as severe flooding is expected in the country today.
More Rain For Fiji Group
Nadi Weather Office director Rajendra Prasad said the north has received a lot of rain overnight and people should take precautions but the rain bands are shifting again.
Prasad said people living in Viti Levu need to get ready for flash flooding today and Nadi residents be warned that severe flooding is expected in your area today.
The search will resume for a woman who was swept away by strong currents in Vatukoula yesterday afternoon.
Deputy Director Police Operations Erami Raibe confirmed that she was returning from her farm with her daughter when she was swept away.
The search was called off last night and police will be out again searching for the woman today.
Nadi Town Remains Closed
Nadi town remains closed this morning as the threat of more flooding looms.
This has been confirmed by Western Command Centre's SP Tasivatu Vasuroi who said at this moment, the Nadi bus-stand is still under 5 feet of water.
He added there are some roads in Nadi also closed to traffic.
Nadi businessman Riyaz Ali said the situation in Nadi is worsening.
Flood Waters Recede in Lautoka
Flood waters in Lautoka city have receded and the Queens Highway between Lautoka and Ba and also to Nadi is now accessible, however, motorists are urged to take precautions.
Lautoka police said flood waters in Lautoka city, Tavakubu and Lovu settlements receded this morning.
About 30 families from Taipiria settlement have sheltered at Natabua Teachers College.
Villages from Vio island outside Lautoka wharf were rescued last night and are now sheltering at Coronation Church.
About 282 people are sheltered in 8 different evacuation centers.
Police said rain has held in Lautoka from last night as more rain is expected later today.
In Ba:
A resident from Moto, Praveen Dutt, said the Moto bridge has been damaged due to a landslide and thousands of people in Moto and nearby villages are stuck.
He said they have no other alternative route to go to Ba town to buy their groceries which have ran out.
In Ba town, water has receded.
About 500 people are sheltered in different evacuation centers in Ba.
DISMAC is once again bracing themselves for an increase in the number of people seeking assistance at the evacuation centres set up in the north.
Senior DISMAC officer Aisea Quminakelo said 452 people are in 9 evacuation centres in the north.
In the western division, there are 62 evacuation centres with 4,150 people and in the central/eastern division in the 46 centres, there are 2,374 people.
At the moment, there is a total of 118 evacuation centres with 6,992 people seeking refuge.
