Since the morning of 19 January, extremely heavy rain and squally thunderstorms have been experienced throughout the country, with disastrous effects in the western part of Viti Levu.
Water levels in areas of Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki increased dramatically within hours to cause flash floods, hitting the community and authorities without warning.
The Disaster Management Programme, South Pacific Office (DMP-SPO) has informed that, according to the National Disaster Controller and Acting Permanent Secretary for Regional Development and Multi Ethnic Affairs, the recent flooding in the western part of Viti Levu has caused destruction to infrastructure, livestock and crops. Six people were killed and six are still missing. On 22 January the Cabinet endorsed the Emergency Committee's advice and recommendation, and declared a natural disaster in the aftermath of this flooding.
Damage to sugar crops, which have already suffered from the recent drought through destruction of planting materials and standing crops, may have a destabilizing effect on this important economic sector. Preliminary reports from the Ministry of Agriculture estimated the crop damage in the Western Division at FJD 1.4 million.
Although the main roads in the flooded area were not badly affected and are now passable, some roads and bridges were extensively damaged and are still closed to the traffic.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities estimates the damage to infrastructure, including sewerage, roads, machinery and building, at FJD 1,334,500 in the districts of Lautoka, Nadi, Sigatoka, Tavua, Ba and Rakiraki. Damage to the buildings of the Lautoka and Ba hospitals is estimated at FJD 30,000. The damage suffered by the schools in Ba, Tavua and Nadi Districts alone is estimated at FJD 275,000. Damage to the power supply amounts to FJD 525,000.
Damage to telephone lines and equipment caused serious disruptions of major communications systems. Approximately 10 percent of domestic lines, out of the 28,565, have been affected in the Western Division. The total damage to communications systems amounts to approximately FJD 326,000.
While some water supply systems in the Western Division have returned to normal, some affected areas in Ba and Nadi are still without water. The damage is estimated at FJD 350,000.
On 22 January, the Government declared a natural disaster for a period of 30 days. The declaration allows the Government to mobilize all needed resources for the provision of emergency relief and to receive international assistance.