Police Evacuate Residents
It was the action of the Fiji Police Force under their community policing that had five families from the Qarase Road settlement take shelter at the Nadera Methodist Church. Resident Isaia Nasere said water levels had reached knee deep inside their house.
The houses in the Nadera settlement are mostly made of corrugated iron and wood as it is an informal settlement. Mr Nasere’s house was already built on metre high stilts.
“I had brought some pallets which I was going to place on the floor so my family could stay above the water,” he said. “The Police had come and told us to leave our homes and take shelter at the church. We are just waiting for the all clear before we can go back home.”
The creek running through the settlement had swelled and flooded homes built next to it. Twenty people including three children took shelter at the church. The Fiji Police Force continued their checks into flood prone areas in the Central Division, assisting the public.
The evacuees returned home last night.
Roads closed in Central Division
Meanwhile, of 4pm yesterday, Fiji Roads Authority situation report noted that 10 roads were closed in the Central Division, one in the North and one in the Eastern Division.
FRA said they would be attending to the road repairs as soon as possible.
In a release it said: “We are urging the public to please take necessary precautions and adhere to the advisories from relevant authorities.
“The FRA stands ready to assist the Fiji Police in the evacuation effort if requested. Members of the public can contact the FRA on toll free number 5720 or email info@ fijiroads.org if they have queries regarding any affected roads or crossings.