Forecasters in Fiji say there could be extensive flooding, with heavy rain likely to persist for the next couple of days.

Residents of Korociri settlement cross through the flooded Nadi backroad.Residents of Korociri settlement cross through the flooded Nadi backroad. Photo: Fiji Government
A tropical disturbance is moving to the south of the country at about 12 kilometres an hour, and has brought heavy rain and flooding to communities hard-hit by Cyclone Winston little more than a month ago.

– Fiji police officers patrol a flooded Nadi on horseback. Photo: Fiji Government

The acting director of the Fiji Meteorological Service, Misaeli Funaki, said there was already flooding in the western and northern divisions, but that was expected to get worse as water moved down from the hills and met an incoming high tide.

Mr Funaki said the heavy rain was not expected to end soon: “The whole system is anchored over Fiji, and this is going to be the case for the next – even into tomorrow and into the day after. The trough will remain slow moving over us and that will be dumping in more rain as we look ahead.”

FIJI: 195mm of rain at Nadi in 24 hours…a month’s worth! Potential #cyclone development. #flashflooding Darren pic.twitter.com/iv9ss5NHXb

— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) April 4, 2016

Misaeli Funaki said another tropical disturbance to the west also has the potential to develop into a weak tropical cyclone as it moved towards Fiji.

Flooding in low-lying areas

Heavy rain had already caused flooding in the west and north of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, and heavy rain and flood warnings were in force for the entire country.

Parts of Nadi, Ba, Sigatoka and Nadi as river levels continued to rise dramatically.

FBC News reported the Nadi Back Road was under water and all traffic was being diverted through the main town.

Access difficult

Ana Zarkavic, a water and sanitation specialist for the Red Cross, said she was very concerned about remote inland communities, which were still waiting for help and advice on all important sanitation issues.

Heavy rain had cut off access to hundreds of households that still needed help.

Flooding in RakirakiFlooding in Rakiraki Photo: RNZI Sally Round
The bad weather also disrupted water supplies in towns like Tavua, just as people were trying to get back to normal after Cyclone Winston.

Aid authorities said about a quarter of a million people in Fiji still needed help with water, sanitation and hygiene across the country.

They said open defecation had the potential to exacerbate disease outbreaks, including typhoid.

– RNZ National