By Michael Morrah
As heavy rain continues to hit Fiji, residents on the western end of Viti Levu have been forced to leave their homes for higher ground or relief centres.
The continuing bad weather has claimed another life today – a man who drowned in a rapidly rising river in the village of Korovou, on the west of the main island.
In the town of Tavua, entire villages have been swamped by torrential rain once again, prompting families to pack what they can and leave.
Evacuated resident Peni Soga says the flooding is “a real disaster… not only for my family but all the villages around here and to all the area”.
The villages make money from sugar cane farming - it’s the main export, and total damage to crops has already reached more than $5 million.
Just over a thousand people moved into evacuation centres overnight and today. Sixteen centres had to be reopened to cope with the number of evacuees.
Viliame Teru was evacuated last night, and is now sharing a shelter with 183 other people, including a 70-year-old and a four-month-old baby girl.
Auckland residents Ash King and Jessica Martin tried to postpone their trip after seeing reports of the flooding, but were told it wasn’t possible.
“We checked with the travel insurance as well… but there’s no way, unless you are directly affected, you cannot get out,” Ms Martin says.
They booked their flights nine months ago and now intend to make the most of a bad situation.
Unfortunately for those holidaying in Fiji, the bad weather is expected to last until at least Saturday.
In the meantime, disaster officials are urging those living in low-lying areas to get to higher ground and prepare what they are calling “go bags”, which should include a torch, dry clothing and enough canned food to last 24 hours.
3 News