Mine rescue
OFFICERS from the National Fire Authority assisted in the rescue of 11 miners from the Smith Shaft at Vatukoula on Sunday.
The miners were taken to Tavua Hospital where nine were treated for minor injuries and sent home.
Three remain admitted, two with suspected head injuries and one is kept for observation.
Rocks and debris, believed to be loosened by torrential rainfall in the Western Division over the past few days fell on the miners as they were transported via a lift in the shaft.
FSC survey
THE Fiji Sugar Corporation will be assessing the level of damage at the Rarawai Mill in Ba and Penang Mill in Rakiraki after the mills were inundated with floodwater over the past three days.
Director Sugar Viliame Gucake told a meeting of government heads of departments in Lautoka yesterday that until the completion of the survey, the full extent of damage could not be correctly gauged.
Sugarcane farms across the Western Division also suffered extensive damage and a team will be out to assess the extent of damage.
No logging
LOGGING trucks will not be allowed to traverse roads in the Western Division.
This was revealed by the Land Transport Authority during a heads of government departments briefing at an Emergency Operations Centre in Lautoka yesterday.
LTA officials said because of the fragility of the division's road infrastructure, logging companies had been informed not to allow their vehicles on the roads until given the all clear.
The Forestry Department has also advised stakeholders that no logging is to be carried out because of the heavy rainfall and flooding.
Calls for help
THE Land Transport Authority is urging public service vehicles to maximise services as much as possible in the Western Division.
The LTA is calling on bus and taxi operators to assist in transporting people to work and to commercial centres to allow the replenishment of supplies after many were cut off from shopping centres over the past four days.
The authority has commended bus companies for resuming services to some areas in the division yesterday.
Roads closed
THE Roads Department yesterday sealed off a few roads up north as a result of continuous rain in the division.
Roads affected outside Labasa Town included the Naduna crossing, Bucalevu, Delaikoro, Vunivutu and Wairiki roads.
Portion of the road affected by a landslide at Lekutu in Bua was also closed to traffic to allow for repair works.
Divisional Roads Engineer north John Luveniyali said the landslide in Bua would have been cleared and the road should be opened to traffic by midday yesterday.
Missing men
THREE men are missing after going on a fishing trip early last week. Police said the trio left Rakiraki on March 27 to fish in the Vatu-i-ra passage.
Director of Operations Senior Superintendent of Police Rusiate Tudravu said police were not conducting any direct search for them.
"We don't know whether they are missing at sea or harbouring somewhere.People should listen to the weather bulletins first before deciding to go out to sea."