20 Apr 2005

Floods in Fiji claim a life and cause disruption throughout the country

1:16 pm on 20 April 2005

Rising floodwaters in Fiji have claimed one life and caused widespread disruption.

The dead man was an employee of the Public Works Department who was swept away as he tried to cross a flooded bridge at Rakiraki.

The flooding follows several days of very heavy rain with almost all parts of the country affected.

Flood waters have been reported from Fiji's west and north as well as the Central Division north of Suva.

Many rural roads and bridges are under water and closed to traffic while most schools in the affected areas did not open today.

In the west, Nadi appears to be the worst affected with knee to waist deep water in many parts of the town and surrounding areas.

A key bridge at Qeleloa near Nadi is under two metres of water.

Damage has been reported to sugar cane and other crops.

The Nadi Weather Centre is predicting more heavy rain and strong winds for at least the next 24 hours.