Fiji floods: Expect more rain - metservice

Residents in Fiji are facing a significant change this Christmas week as heavy rain and flooding affect the country.

Since Christmas Eve, Fiji has been experiencing an active trough of low pressure, which has led to intense downpours and rising water levels across the nation.

According to the Fiji Meteorological Service, 130mm of rain fell at Nadarivatu in the Ba Province from 3pm Christmas Eve to 3pm Christmas Day.

Nadi Town was flooded on Christmas Day, with emergency workers assisting those affected by the flooding.

Locals shared footage on social media showing vehicles trying to navigate through the flooded waters.

The tourist town was flooded after the Qeleloa River overflowed its banks due to a heavy downpour earlier on Wednesday.

Several houses on Koromakawa Road were impacted as flood waters entered them.

Another active trough is expected to move in from the west on Friday, bringing further rain that will gradually spread across the rest of Fiji by Sunday.

Metservice forecasts periods of rain, with heavy showers and possible thunderstorms.

Residents in low-lying areas have been urged to move to higher ground. Photo/Facebook/Fiji Police

Authorities have shown moderate confidence in the forecast and advise the public to remain cautious.

Flooding is expected in low-lying communities, on roads and in business areas, disrupting essential services, including power and traffic flow.

The Pacific cyclone season runs from 1 November until 30 April.

New Zealanders travelling to the Pacific can register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

Travellers who register can be alerted if a major cyclone approaches and receive advice on precautions to take.

Fiji police have urged residents living in flood-prone areas in the Western Division to move to higher ground due to the ongoing flooding.

This video below was sent to The Fiji Times newsroom on Boxing Day.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu said continuous rain has led to flooding in several areas.

"For precautionary measures, we are urging people to move to higher ground now or to an evacuation centre," he said.

"People need to move now before it gets dark. Moving at night will be a big risk for them and our officers on the ground.

“Teams are on standby at police stations, and they will assist in moving people to higher ground.”

The Western Division Command and Coordination Center can be contacted at 9905457 if anyone needs help with relocation.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Roads Authority reported that Nadi was flooded and urged motorists to avoid driving to the town.

Multiple roads in the west have been closed or partially closed, accessible only by four-wheel drive.

Fiji’s National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) has advised communities to take necessary precautions to ensure safety as another active low-pressure trough approaches.

The NDRMO said it had received reports of flash flooding and landslips.

Metservice issued a heavy rain warning for the whole Fiji group.