29 Jan 2009

Further flooding in Fiji, this time in Suva

2:44 pm on 29 January 2009

The Fiji Metservice has issued a flood warning for Navua while surrounding towns including Suva have already suffered flooding caused by heavy rainfall following a cyclone alert linked to a system trough.

The weakening cyclone has moved away from Fiji and is expected to die away before tomorrow.

Alipate Waqaicelua, a forecaster at the Metservice, says it can't predict if heavy rain forecast for the next 48 hours will result in severe floods following flooding suffered earlier this month.

But, Mr Waqaicelua is urging locals to remain alert.

"As we've always told the people since we are in our tropical cyclone season - we may not have cyclones but we are getting a lot of rain. And we are advising people to stay indoors but when water levels are rising rapidly please move to safer areas."