25 Apr 2014

Further rain in Solomons puts repatriation on hold

2:52 pm on 25 April 2014

Solomon Islanders in flood-risk areas have been advised to take precautions and observe disaster safety measures as more rain starts to fall.

The Met Service has issued a Heavy Rain Alert today for all provinces.

A depression over the country is expected to bring rain until Sunday.

The government's spokesperson, George Herming, says the latest bad weather is discouraging for people after the destructive floods on Guadalcanal three weeks ago.

About half of the evacuation centres around Honiara have closed over the past two days as the government has encouraged people to return to their homes, but Mr Herming says this process may now be delayed.

"We have just started the repatriation process of [returning] the victims back to their homes to start rebuilding, but authorities are having discussions on what to do, especially with victims who have lost all their belongings. They are also discussing whether to get them back to their homes now or wait and see."

George Herming