One person has died and over 4,000 evacuated their homes after flooding in Fiji brought by heavy rain from Tropical Storm Cody.
The island group has seen heavy rain since last week, with rain intensifying as Tropical Storm Cody moved closer. Tailevu on Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island, recorded 369mm of rain in 24 hours on 10 January 2022.
Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) reported on 11 January that 4,096 people had moved in 156 evacuation centres, mostly in Western (106 centres) and Central (33 centres) Divisions. Schools are closed until authorities are sure the danger has passed.
Local media, quoting NDMO sources, said a man died on 09 January after he tried to cross a flooded river at Mataniwai in Tavua.
NDMO teams have assisted with rescues and evacuations in flooded areas including Nukutubu, Nausori, Wainibuka and Naitasiri. Authorities have urged residents in the greater Nadi area to stay home and stay away from flooded waters. The capital Suva appears to have been spared.
Fiji Meteorological Service said as of 11 January Tropical Storm Cody was situated to the southwest of Viti Levu, moving west and further away from Fiji. Heavy rain warnings have been cancelled, although associated active rainbands may continue to affect the Western Division.
