Floods in Fiji finally recede after leaving 5 dead

Flood waters are finally receding in Fiji after leaving at least five people dead and forcing thousands more from their homes.

Flood waters are finally receding in Fiji after leaving at least five people dead and forcing thousands more from their homes.

HT Image

The Pacific island nation had been lashed since Thursday by heavy rains and wind that swamped homes and downed infrastructure. But fears the situation could get worse eased Tuesday after a cyclone missed the islands by several hundred miles.

Government spokeswoman Sharon Smith Johns said about 8,000 people in the west of the main island, Viti Levu, had been forced from their homes into evacuation centers. She said they were slowly returning Tuesday after the rain stopped and flood waters began to recede.

She said officials were working restore vital infrastructure like bridges, electricity and fresh water supplies.