Fiji

The Acting Director for Fiji Meteorological Service, Misaeli Funaki told Newswire that Tropical Depression (TD15F) is bringing in a lot of rain and more flooding is expected.

“High tide is coming in which will cause more flash flood in most areas. This likely to be the case of today and tomorrow.

The tropical disturbance is located just South-West of Kadavu. Right now the concern for us is the heavy rain and the flash floods it’s bringing,” said Funaki.

Funaki said the heavy rain warning still remains in force for the whole of the Fiji group.

Kaniva News reports the hāʻunga was presented with a puaka toho (big pig) and followed with a formal speech by the matāpule who represented the locals.

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

Navua is also experiencing heavy rain however there are no reports of flooding.

A flood warning remains in force for the low lying areas and adjacent to Rakiraki town.

An international Commission of Inquiry had been threatened by the United Nations body over a long-running dispute between the government and unions over the country's labour laws.

According to RNZI, the mid-year test window marks the beginning of Rugby World Cup qualifying for the three Pacific nations, who failed to earn direct entry to the 2019 tournament last year.

With only a three-week June window, Georgia and the three Pacific teams will play each other over consecutive weeks.

National Disaster Management Office co-ordinator on the island Jioji Satakala confirmed the outbreak was among children.

Satakala said of the 24 cases on the island, 13 children with ages ranging from six months to five years were suffering from malnutrition in Tuatua Village.

He said the island had very limited food sources because most had been destroyed during Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.

He said the outbreak affected children the most because of the wrong food types being given to them on the island.

Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Natural Disaster Management permanent secretary Meleti Bainimarama said the extension was recommended by the National Emergency Committee.

“This decision will allow officials to continue to provide relief and rehabilitation support in affected areas. This includes areas where basic services and facilities are limited including water, housing and electricity,” Bainimarama said.

He said the extension would allow the continuous deployment of state resources and personnel for relief operations.

Task Group 412 consists of 45 military personnel and four civilians from the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) and Tonga Red Cross, led by Commander Heiss Fonohema and Mafua Maka of NEMO.

Matangi Tonga reports they are based on two Tongan Navy vessels, the Pacific class patrol boat VOEA Pangai and VOEA Late, landing craft in support of Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office, at Vanua Balavu.

Commander Fonohema said water remained in critical demand and better shelters for the majority of the population are needed.

PACNEWS reports this was revealed by Australia’s foreign minister Julie Bishop after meetings with Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in Suva. 

National Disaster Management Office Director Akapusi Tuifagalele said a woman in her 70s died at the CWH Hospital in Suva after she was airlifted from Koro Island following serious injuries.

14,799 people are still living in 476 evacuation centers in the Eastern, Northern and Western division.