Heavy rains and flash flooding have led to multiple road closures across Fiji, impacting travel on Thursday morning. Nadi town has been particularly affected, becoming impassable on Christmas Day due to the severe weather conditions.
Road closures have been reported in the Central, Western, and Northern Divisions, prompting the Fiji Roads Authority to advise extreme caution for those traveling. Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone areas between Sigatoka and Nausori to seek higher ground for safety.
The Fiji Metservice has issued ongoing heavy rain warnings for the Northern Division, indicating that persistent rainfall may result in flash flooding in low-lying areas. On Thursday, a flash flood warning was specifically issued for several localities, including Dreketilailai and Labasa town, indicating the potential for flooding in small streams and low-lying regions.
Recent reports showed significant rainfall, with Dreketilailai recording 57.5mm between 4 AM and 7 AM, and Nayarabale reporting 55mm in the same time period. Over the preceding 24 hours, Nayarabale accumulated a total of 104mm of rainfall.
Meteorological forecasts predict that the rough weather conditions, including cloud, rain, and showers associated with a trough of low pressure, will continue to affect the northern parts of Fiji throughout the day.
For ongoing updates, residents can visit the Fiji Metservice website.
In light of this situation, it’s important for communities to come together, supporting one another as they navigate through these challenging weather conditions. With resilience and cooperation, Fiji can overcome the difficulties posed by the flooding and build better preparedness for future events.
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