HUNDREDS of students from an area in Ba stayed away from school because of a flooded Irish crossing.
Ba advisory councillor Viam Pillay said most parents made the decision to keep their children at home after heavy rain caused the flooding of the Maranitawa Irish crossing.
He said they were also concerned about the rising river water level.
Affected students were from Maranitawa, Balevuto, Moto, Nadrau, Kumkum, Vatusui, Naruku, Toge, Balevutu, Nukuloa and other nearby farming settlements.
Mr Pillay said more than 400 students lived in those areas.
Schools in the Ra Province, on the other hand, finished early yesterday as heavy downpour continued to pound the region.
The Fiji Times team noticed a few schools in the Nalawa district cancelled classes and sent their students home at around 1pm.
However, schools located in Rakiraki Town including Rakiraki Muslim Primary School, Penang Primary School and Penang Secondary School remained open for classes.
Meanwhile, police yesterday reminded the public to take precautionary measures during this rainy season.
Police spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said people should be mindful of drowning caused by adverse weather conditions.
He also advised motorists and mariners to take heed of weather warnings.