The flash floods experienced last Friday is one of the worst in Fiji’s history.

Luckily enough, Tropical Cyclone Daphne did not cause more damage while moving away from the Fiji group.

The floods however, have left a trail of destruction adding more woes to the economy after the January floods.

Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the natural disaster has left Nadi Town in a sorry state.

President Dr Ram Raju says the Jetset town is in a chaotic state.

“It’s quite obvious it’s going to have a major economic impact and we will just have to wait perhaps a week before an assessment can be arrived at. All I can say that it’s far extensive then in January 2009 forget about this year’s January 2012 floods.”

Businesshouses have started cleaning up their shops however it is definite it will take Nadi at least a week to get back on its feet.

Strong wind warning cancelled

A strong wind warning for the Fiji group has now been cancelled.

Duty Forecaster at the Nadi Weather Office Sanjay Prakash says the weather is expected to be clear by Thursday.

However, he says rainy weather is expected in most parts of the country for the next two days.

“We have got an active trough of low pressure with associated clouds and rain remains slow moving over the group. For Navua, Suva, Nausori occasional rain, heavy at times.For Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Labasa occasional rain heavy rain and thunderstroms. Savusavu period of rain heavy at times. For Rotuma strong wind warning has been cancelled.”

Foreign Ministers lend a helping hand

Australia Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr has today spoken with Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, to express the deepest sympathy of his government and people on the impact of the floods.

Australia is working closely with Fijian organisations to assist assessments of damage and needs for emergency support in affected communities including funding aerial surveys of flooded areas.

Carr says that Australia and Fiji have strong ties and at a time of crisis, Australia stands ready to provide help to the people of Fiji.

Carr has advised Ratu Inoke that the Australian government is ready to provide assistance of up to $1 million to support Fiji’s disaster response priorities.

Many Australians in Fiji as tourists have also been affected by the floods. The Australian Government is providing consular assistance to those in need.

Carr also thanked Ratu Inoke for the cooperation of authorities in helping those Australian tourists.

NZ offers $500,000

New Zealand will provide $500,000 in flood assistance to Fiji.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says the funds will immediately be available to agencies assisting flood victims in Fiji.

He says the situation is severe as Fiji is still recovering from the January’s floods and many response agencies will not have fully replenished their supplies.

New Zealand’s funding will be provided to the Fiji Red Cross, and other non-government agencies well positioned to respond.

McCully says New Zealand always stands ready to help the people of Fiji when disaster strikes.

New Zealand provided $350,000 to the Fiji Red Cross to support the response to severe floods in January and a further $1.5 million to the Fiji Natural Disaster Management Office to refurbish evacuation centres.