12 Mar 2007

Call for river to be dredged in flood prone Fiji region

8:07 pm on 12 March 2007

The deputy mayor of Labasa is calling on the Fiji government to dredge the Labasa river to prevent flooding in future.

Four people are now confirmed to be dead and at least one person is still missing after renewed flooding in Fiji's north and west over the weekend.

It is the second time this year that these areas have been hit by floods and the deputy mayor of Labasa, Shivlal Nagindas, says the government must take action to prevent future flooding.

Meanwhile the principal disaster management officer, Tomasiti Mucunabitu, says officials are now on the ground to assess the situation.

"Surveys are now being carried out and we will be able to be in a position later in the week to know exactly the damage to crops and buildings."

Tomasiti Mucunabitu, the principal disaster management officer.