2 dead, hundreds evacuated in Fiji floods

Two farmers were killed and more than 700 people evacuated as torrential rain flooded large parts of Fiji's main island Viti Levu, officials said Tuesday. Roads to the western part of the island were cut after days of heavy rain and 715 people were sheltering in evacuation centres, the Pacific nation's information ministry said. It said two farmers drowned in separate incidents as they tried to rescue their livestock. One died on Monday but it was unclear when the second died. The ministry also said the army was called in to help a number of foreign tourists reach Nadi airport, the island's main aviation gateway, on Monday night. It said international flights at the airport were still operating. It advised residents to stay indoors until further notice amid forecasts the rain will not ease until Thursday.