9 Jan 2009

Heavy rain floods towns in Fiji's west

3:29 pm on 9 January 2009

The Fiji Police say the western towns of Viti Levu Island, Nadi, Rakiraki and Ba are under water as a result of heavy rain.

They say evacuation areas have been set up in some of the worst affected areas, including Nadi, Sigatoka and Lautoka.

The Deputy Director Operations for Police, Superintendent Erami Raibe, says so far about 50 people in Nadi have taken refuge at the established evacuation centre there.

"At the moment there has been no casualties in this heavy rain or flooding. I think the members of the community are coping with what they have expected of them because of the warning (which) weather officers warning the people of Fiji of this expected downpour. We are also advising the members of the community to take pre-cautions during this heavy downpour."

Superintendent Erami Raibe supports the Metservice which is warning people to avoid heading out to see the effects of the rainfall.