Flooding in Vaileka, commonly known as Rakiraki Town, is an urban centre in Fiji, in the Rakiraki region of Ra Province. Photo: Fiji Government
A child has died due to severe weather conditions brought by Cyclone Urmil, the Fijian government says.
Urmil did not make landfall in Fiji but brought heavy rain and wind.
"Although Tropical Cyclone Urmil did not make direct landfall, its outer rainbands and strong winds significantly impacted the Western Division between March 1 and 2," the Fiji government said.
"The severe weather conditions tragically claimed the life of a child, whose body was recovered from a creek in Namoli at Kaleli Settlement, outside Lautoka City."
A briefing to prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka noted that 115 roads were affected, with disruptions to power and water supply reported in parts of the Western Division.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways anticipated potential food shortages in flood-affected areas of the Western Division. It is assessing damage to the agricultural sector.
Recommendations presented to the prime minister included improving drainage systems and dredging rivers.
Rabuka said while dredging can form part of the solution, much of the material being removed is silt washed down from hills into rivers and coastal areas.
He said long-term corrective development planning is necessary to properly address the issue.
He also emphasised the need to strengthen preparedness in light of increasingly frequent and intense natural disasters.
On Thursday, five schools in the Western Division remained closed, as they were still operating as evacuation centres.
These are Nokonoko District School, Andrews Primary School, Nawaka District School, Nadi Muslim College and Lovu Sangam School.
Cyclone Urmil left Fiji waters on Sunday but rain still persisted in Fiji on Monday and Tuesday.
Urmil was downgraded into an extra-tropical low about midnight on Sunday night.
