The continuous heavy downpour has wreaked havoc in Fiji’s Western Division which is now feeling the brunt of Tropical Depression 04DF.
Disaster Management Office Director Akapusi Tuifagalele says emergency services are bracing for more evacuees at designated evacuation centres in light of the widespread flooding.
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“The latest in terms of the Evacuation centres, Central division, 21 with 566 evacuees, Nothern, 11 with 273 evacuees, Western division, 6 with 162, Eastern, 36 with 363 evacuees and the total so far this morning was 74 evacuation centres with 1363 evacuees.”
Tuifagaele says with the rain expected to continue, they’re appealing to all those living in tents, low lying areas and flood prone areas to move while there’s still light.
“The rain band that is caused by Tropical Depression 04DF has not gone away from Fiji yet and we have to be careful and we have to be alert of what we do.”
The DISMAC director is expected to brief the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainirama and his cabinet later this afternoon.
Meanwhile, a heavy rain warning is now in force for Northern and Eastern half of Viti Levu from Ba to Rakiraki through Nausori to Sigatoka, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Lau and the Lomaiviti Group.
There will be periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms with localised heavy rain will lead to flooding in this areas.
Tropical depression TD04f remains slow moving to the west of Fiji. It is expected to gradually move south-southeast and the centre of the depression is anticipated to remain to the west of Fiji.
Associated active trough of low pressure and rain bands continues to affect the country.
TD04F has low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. FBC NEWS/PACNEWS [/restrict]