Local News in Brief
More rain
GET those umbrellas and raincoats out. The weather office in Nadi is forecasting heavy rain in some parts of the country. Director Meteorology Alipate Waqaicelua said a trough of low pressure was sitting right across Fiji yesterday and gradually moving eastwards after intensifying a bit. "There's a possibility of isolated heavy falls in parts of Fiji as the trough moves but at this stage it's difficult to say where the heavy falls will actually be," Mr Waqaicelua said.
Good turnout
THE registration team deployed to Kadavu has returned with strong results from the island province. A government statement issued on Tuesday said a total of 6112 islanders were registered out of the estimated 6327. "The elections office would like to extend a big thank you to both the people of Kadavu and the registration team for working together to make the EVR such an outstanding success," permanent secretary responsible for Elections Mere Vuniwaqa said. "We look forward to the continued enthusiasm of the Fijian people as we move forward into the fifth week of registration," she said.
Road caution
POLICE are urging motorists travelling around the Western Division at night or in the early hours of the morning to be extra vigilant after two road deaths in the space of one week. In the first incident last week in Nadi, Eseta Sinumalai, 73, was the victim of driver fatigue after the cane truck she was a passenger in was hit by a vehicle driven by Nasir Hussein of Vomo St in Lautoka who allegedly fell asleep at the wheel. Mr Hussein was charged with dangerous driving and will appear in the Nadi court on September 3. In another incident, Arachalam, 64, died after the cane lorry he was driving hit another that was parked on the roadside near the Rarawai mill in Ba. Police spokeswoman west Naina Ragigia urged motorists to take regular breaks during long journeys to reduce driver fatigue.
Good start
THE harvesting season started on a high note and has been generally successful, says SuÂgar permanent secretary Lieutenant Colonel Manasa Vaniqi. With the $2.5 million allocated for upgrading cane access roads in cane belt areas, Lt-Col Vaniqi said supply of cane to mills should not be a problem. Despite the cane and labourer shortage, Lt-Col Vaniqi said stakeholders remained optimistic of a successful season. He is touring cane belt areas in Vanua Levu.