14 Jan 2009

Flood toll rises

12:39 pm on 14 January 2009

Police in Fiji say the death toll from the flooding is nine, following the disappearance of a woman who was trying to swim to safety.

She was trying to escape a landslip with her teenage daughter in the northern part of Fiji's main island, Viti Levu, but only the girl made it to shore.

Six people are confirmed dead and three are missing.

Rain continues to fall with the township of Labasa on Vanua Levu island the latest to be affected.

Police say the town floods are two metres deep and there are no communication services, power or drinking water supplies.

Nadi International Airport is functioning as normal, although there is still a backlogue of tourists trying to leave.

More heavy rain is predicted to fall on Wednesday and Thursday.