AS heavy downpours continued to affect major urban and rural centres in the Western Division yesterday, Vitogo villagers in Lautoka were reminded to remain vigilant.
The village located next to the Vitogo River was among the many communities that would be inundated by floodwaters during long periods of heavy rain.
Village headman Josua Sovasova said about 30 households located near the Vitogo River were monitoring the water levels.
“The homes near the river bank are always a concern for us,” he said.
“We have evacuation centres that will be activated when the need arises and these families know when to move.” He said New Year’s celebrations at the village had been affected by the continuous downpours.
“Some of us are not really thinking about New Year’s because of this rain.”
According to the Fiji Meteorological Service, the heavy rain would continue until Wednesday next week. “An active trough of low pressure lies slow moving to the West of Fiji,” a weather report said.
“The associated rain bands continue to affect the Fiji group.
“Occasional rain, heavy at times and thunderstorms is expected to continue over Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, greater Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki areas, interior of Ba and Ra provinces, Kadavu, Northern Division, Lau and Lomaiviti groups.
“Therefore, a heavy rain alert remains current for the abovementioned areas and is expected to be upgraded to warning later this (yesterday) afternoon.
“The eastern parts of Viti Levu are expected to be affected by heavy rain and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening.”
