28 Feb 2014

Most flood alerts cancelled as rain eases in Fiji

11:16 am on 28 February 2014

The Fiji Meteorological Service says it has cancelled flood alerts for most of Viti Levu as heavy rain eases.

The rain, which has persisted since Tuesday, has forced people to evacuate from low-lying areas, caused nation-wide power shortages, road closures and Navua Hospital to flood.

The manager of forecast services, Misaeli Funaki, says a flood alert is still being maintained in some eastern parts of Fiji, but the rain has eased considerably.

"There were flood warnings issued mainly for Navua and a few of the rivers that were leading to or fitting into the Rewa River. We've lifted a few of those - a few of them are still on alert level, but the warnings have been cancelled for most of them."

Misaeli Funaki says it is possible the rain will start again.

He says the Meteorological Service is closely monitoring a second depression, slowly moving towards the northern part of Fiji, which may develop into a cyclone tonight or tomorrow.