SUVA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Two people have lost their lives to flash flooding in Navua just a half an hour drive out of Suva the capital of Fiji.
Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama raised his concerns on Friday with the National Disaster Management Office after flash flooding led to the loss of two lives on Thursday night.
He warned Fijians to be serious with their preparation of Tropical Cyclone Tino and to be prepared for more severe weather and ensure they are following the public advisories to avoid mishaps at this stage.
Director for the National Disaster Management Office Vasiti Soko said given the heavy rain, retrieval of the bodies believed to be that of a father and his daughter was impossible.
Soko said 68 people are currently been sheltered in two evacuation centers activated in Navua overnight.
Minister for National Security and Defense Inia Seruiratu warned that NDMO advice for the general public needs to be adhered to and that people should not take warnings of bad weather lightly.
Most schools around Fiji were closed on Friday as people braced for the bad weather.
Tropical Cyclone Tino was located about 210km north-northwest of Labasa on Vanua Levu, on Friday.
Close to its center the cyclone is expected to have average winds of up to 75km/hr with momentary gusts to 100km/hr.
Some evacuation centers have also been opened in Vanua Levu where people from nearby villages have taken shelter.
Roko Tui Cakaudrove Filimoni Naiqumu said villagers have been arriving at these centers after midday as the wind and rain picked up speed and intensity on Friday.
In Savusavu the market and businesses have closed and people have been sent home.
Power supply in the town has been shut down.
Police are monitoring the movement of the public in and around the town area.
