12 Jan 2009

Curfews lifted in flood-ravaged Fiji, but more bad weather on the way

11:09 am on 12 January 2009

Fiji's disaster management office is urging people to heed the daily weather reports.

Curfews in the flood-ravaged Fijian town of Nadi have been lifted, but thousands of evacuated residents still don't know when they will be able to return home.

The flooding has claimed seven lives, and more than nine thousand people have had to be evacuated.

The Principal Disaster Management Officer Aisea Quminkakelo says in some areas water levels have receded, however the Navua, Rewa and Sigatoka rivers are reported to be gradually rising and are anticipated to reach criticals level during high tide today.

He says those living in low lying areas have been warned to evacuate to higher grounds or seek shelter at nearby evacuation centres.

The office says water has receded in the Nadi Town area but at a slow rate.

Mr Quminkakelo says the tropical depression experienced throughout the country continues to have adverse effects severely affecting villages and communities in the low lying villages and communities in the western, central and eastern divisions

He says the Nadi Weather Office has again warned that the situation may worsen as another tropical Depression is likely to approach Fiji by next Wednesday bringing stronger winds and heavy rainfall.