Nadi: A man is believed to be dead after he tried to cross the Nadi river over the weekend, during the height of heavy rain.

Police assistant spokesman Atunaisa Sokomuri confirmed this yesterday.

Inspector Sokomuri said the 48-year-old man was trying to cross the Nadi River with several people on Saturday night when he is believed to have been swept away.

Inspector Sokomuri said the man was believed to have drowned in the flooded Nadi river.

He said the man, with other villagers, were on their way to attend a funeral when the incident occurred.

Inspector Sokomuri said the villagers last saw the victim going into the river.

“The man was believed to be wearing his gum boots and carrying a bag while swimming across the river,” he said.

“A search was conducted since Saturday night, but there is still no sign of the man.”

Also yesterday several cars were washed away as the heavy rainfall continued in Ba, Tavua and Nadi.

Parts of Ba town were flooded. More flooding is expected in low-lying areas because heavy rain has been forecast for most parts of the country.

The Fiji Meteorological Service says heavy rain is expected to continue until tomorrow because a trough of low pressure over the Fiji Group is moving very slowly.

Meanwhile, people living in low-lying areas have been urged to take the necessary precautions.

This comes amid a warning for members of the public to be cautious on the roads. The warning has come from Works Ministry spokeswoman Sainiana Waqainabete, who says roads are expected to be slippery in rain-affected areas and there could be disruptions to traffic on flooded roads in low-lying areas.

“Drivers are to be careful and aware at all times and parents should be vigilant and note the whereabouts of their children at all times,” she said. Ms Waqainabete said parts of Tavua and Ba were underwater, with various roads closed.

These include the roads at Toge, Matelawa and Vutuni in Ba and the Naseyani in Ra and Yaladro flats in Tavua.

Inspector Sokomuri said such incidents indicated negligence from members of the public who refused to take heed of warnings from the meteorology service.

The call has come once again for people to be careful while out in the waters. Police have issued a warning about the hazards of swimming at flooded rivers.

“Police are advising that people should, where possible, only swim at patrolled beaches and should take care to familiarise themselves with an area before venturing into the river or ocean,” police said.

So far this year, three people have lost their lives from drowning.

In another development, the National Disaster Management Office says despite the amount of cash the Government spends on preparedness; money is not always the key.

DISMAC Acting Director Pajiliai Dobui said people who do not take warnings seriously are the ones who are mostly affected during a natural disaster.

“Fiji is now in the cyclone season and DISMAC is calling on people to always be prepared for any kind of natural disaster,” he said.

“Preparedness is the most important part of planning and response.”

Mr Dobui said the number of deaths during natural disasters had been reduced greatly over the past years because many people had started to take heed of the advice given by the responsible authority.

“We wish to advise the general public to always be prepared,” he said.