Pacific

Heavy rain eases after flooding near Fiji capital

11:40 am on 3 March 2005

Heavy rain in Fiji has stopped, easing the flooding that started yesterday in eastern parts of Viti Levu.

Hundreds of people were left stranded by the floods which continued last night and have destroyed at least six homes.

Landslides have brought down power lines and disrupted electricity supplies.

A landslide also blocked the Wailoku Road on the northern outskirts of Suva late yesterday, leaving thousands of workers and students unable to return to their homes.

While no reports of death or injury have emerged, police spokesperson Unaisi Vuniwaqa says police have not reached all parts affected by the flooding yet...

"Wainisasa, Bailevu, Sawani and Maibau, these are all areas in the Eastern side of Viti Levu. In Wainisasa, six houses were reported to be under water last night, and the occupants have been safely evacuated. Luckily there's no casualties in that evacuation process."