Fiji troubled by horrific weather

Fiji is experiencing horrific weather conditions and the police has cautioned people to restrict their movements and stay indoors. Police Spokesperson, Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri told the media that two women were struck by lightning in Suva on Wednesday. One was killed and the other injured. Parents have been urged to monitor their children's activities during the holidays with the new school term a few days away. Heavy rain, long cloudy days and thunderstorms were reported throughout the country, including Suva, Nausori, Navua, Sigatoka, Southern Lau, Kadavu and nearby areas. The flood warning for low lying areas remains in place, says the office, adding that people in the Western and Northern divisions will constantly get occasional rain and thunderstorms in the afternoons. Tourists and yacht owners are told to take precautions. Earlier this week local media reported shops closed, people rushed home and police stepped up security as lightning threw the Central Division into darkness. Heavy rain and thunderstorms over the southern part of Viti Levu (island) disrupted repair work for the Water Authority of Fiji and prolonged water cuts which affected thousands of residents around the country. Hasmukh Patel, Chief Executive of the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) which supplies power to the whole country, said that the 132,000 volt transmission line that transports power from the Hydro Station to the Central Division was struck by a lightning.