Heavy rainfall from this morning has caused flash flooding in a number of places in the Western Division.
Flood waters are now entering Rakiraki town and nearby areas and Rakiraki police are now advising people to try and refrain from entering the town area.
A resident Sanjit Maharaj said bus service in Rakiraki has also been stopped as flood waters continue to rise.
He said water levels are rising around Rakiraki and people are now wary of the high tide which comes in this hour.
Deputy Director Police Operations, SP Erami Raibe has confirmed that shops in Rakiraki town are closing down as flood waters continue to rise.
He said the heavy downpour has resulted in some rivers being flooded and a number of roads in the Western Division closed for traffic due to flooding.
SP Raibe also said some bridges in Sigatoka, Nadi and Ba are also under water and are closed to all traffic.
Police Urge People To Take Precaution In North
Police in the Northern Division has urged people to be careful as there is a possibility of flash flooding.
Police Spokesperson Atunaisa Sokomuri who is currently in Labasa told Fijivillage News that they are experiencing some heavy rain and strong winds.
He has also urged people living in low lying areas to move to higher grounds.
Sigatoka Residents Move To Higher Grounds
Residents of Waibongi Sigatoka have started to move to the higher grounds as flood water is rising.
A resident Rajesh Chand said it has been raining continuously in Sigatoka since yesterday and it is still raining.
The Kings Highway is now closed to all the traffic at Naqia and Nayavu.
Deputy Director Police Operations, SP Erami Raibe has confirmed that Nayavu and Naqia bridges are under flood waters and are closed to all the traffic.
SP Raibe has called on motorist not to use Kings road until further notice. He said officers from Korovou and Nausori and monitoring the situation and an update will be provided soon.
The Sigatoka Mayor said the main problems the Town faces during these unfavorable weather conditions is poor drainage as well as the Sigatoka River bursting its banks, which results in flooding.
Sikeli Tasere urges those in authority should think about dredging the Sigatoka River especially when in times like these which increases the risks of flooding.
Tasere also said they will do their utmost to try and prevent the blockage of drains and will also ask some private halls to act as evacuation centres if the need arises.
In Ba, if the current unfavorable weather persists, the Ba Town Market area will be the first to be under water so please take care.
This is the warning from the Ba Town Mayor, Pravin Bala who said people need to take care during this time and stay away from flooded streams, culverts and rivers.
Bala adds they are currently liaising with relevant stakeholders on plans they will undertake if the weather gets worse.
A number of bridges in Ba are under flood waters and are now closed to all traffic.
Ba police confirm that the Toge bridge is under four feet of water, the Rarawai Cemetery Road Crossing is under two feet water and the Navala bridge is under flood waters and are closed to all traffic.
Water levels are also rising at the Rarawai railway crossing.
No homes have been affected at this stage and Police are closely monitoring the situation.
In Tavua, Police confirm that the Yaladro flats are under two feet of flood waters. Tavua Police confirm that water is slowly receding and that no homes have been affected.
Nadi Police also confirm that blocked drains have led to flooding at the Nadi bus stand area while Patrol teams have been dispatched to survey other areas.
Some residents in Saru, Navula in Lautoka have evacuated their homes and moved to higher grounds this morning as flood waters in their area continue to rise.
Residents confirm flood waters in the nearby stream is rising and if rainfall continues the Navula brigde is expected to be underwater later this morning.
Heavy rainfall continues in Lautoka.
The Nadi Weather Office said the tropical depression which was located over Northern part of Vanuatu yesterday has moved southeast and was located about 680km West of Nadi at 7 o'clock this morning.
Director Rajendra Prasad said the system has been influenced by increasing upper level wind shear and as such has not gained any real tropical cyclone characteristics, however it is still expected to deepen as it continues to move Southeast and is expected to develop into a deep depression South of Fiji.
He said the system is expected to pass about 400km Southwest of Kadavu at its closest point tonight.
Prasad said for Fiji expect strong gusty northwesterly winds today and tomorrow especially over the Western and Southwestern parts of Viti Levu, Kadavu, Vatulele, Beqa including Yasawa and Mamanuca group.
He said seas are expected be very rough with heavy swells developing.
The Weather office warns that rain is expected to be widespread with more frequent and heavier falls in the western and northwestern parts of the larger islands and flooding of low lying areas, rivers and streams is expected especially in the Western division.
DISMAC Urges People To Take Heed Of Weather Conditions
Strong winds, heavy rain and flash floods, these are unfavorable weather conditions that people are being asked to take precautions against, to prevent damage, injury and loss.
The National Disaster Management Office warns people living in flood prone, low lying areas, creeks and streams to monitor water levels and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground well before flood waters rise.
DISMAC warns movement should be restricted and people should avoid contact with floodwaters while extra care should be taken to ensure that all family members are safe and secure.
DISMAC also warns fishermen and people who travel on small out board motors are warned to take heed of the strong wind warning and avoid venturing out to sea.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry is requesting farmers living in the low lying flood prone areas to take precautionary measure in a bid to minimize damages to their crops and livestock.
The Director Extension Services Division Fiuwaki Waqalala is advising farmers to take their live stocks to higher grounds before flooding and seek further advice from the agricultural staff.
He is also calling on farmers to plant their crops away from the river banks. He said farmers should plant Kumala, casava, dalo and tivoli which are crops that do not have major effect from floods and it can withstand good storability.
