NADI – Fiji has issued a severe flood warning after heavy rains triggered flash flooding, inundating scores of homes and emergency shelters housing thousands of people.
Tourists have been stranded in their hotels and at the airport.
The severe weather follows a spate of tropical storms that have hit the island nation in the past week, killing at least eight people.
Tourism Fiji CEO Josefa Tuamoto has applauded his travel industry colleagues, acknowledging the huge efforts many of them have gone to in recent days to help the local tourism industry alleviate many of the issues facing the destination’s visitors during the recent spate of bad weather.
Mr Tuamoto said he, and by default the Fijian tourism industry and the people of Fiji, were eternally grateful for the efforts and goodwill shown by airlines, hoteliers, wholesalers and travel agents on behalf of the hundreds of visitors affected by the situation.
“The great thing about all of this has been the speed with which our industry colleagues’ have responded – and much of it unrequested – to the situation,†he said.
“Many people have gone to extraordinary lengths on behalf of our visitors – airline and wholesaler staff and travel agents – and we are thankful for their help,†he said.
