Flood warning for Fiji as more storms approach

by Amy Judd | January 13, 2009 at 02:42 pm

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Fiji has issued a state of emergency and a severe flood warning for the island as days of heavy rain have hit the nation. Thousands of people are taking shelter in emergency shelters and more rain means more flooding. About eight people have died since last week in the floods and it is considered the worst flooding in recent history for the area.

As a result of five days of heavy rain, sugar cane crops have been damaged and roads and houses have been submurged on the main island of Viti Levu.

A state of emergency has been declared in western parts of Viti Levu, with the main tourist hub of Nadi badly affected.

Many families are said to have moved to higher ground; about 5,000 people have been forced into emergency shelters, the Fiji Times said.

Residents in Labasa, the main town on the island of Vanua Levu, are also braced for the worst after two rivers burst their banks, Fijilive website reported.

Australia and New Zealand have promised emergency funds to the Fiji Red Cross to help with relief work, despite the current diplomatic chill.