Some residents in Ba were caught off guard as the sudden flooding cut off access to most roads and bridges to the evacuation centres.

The government is equipping community leaders and members with the right knowledge and skills so they can be prepared for a disaster.

Plans are underway to undertake refresher courses for tsunami evacuation and disaster preparedness around the country.

Several people on some of the islands in the Eastern Division took shelter on higher grounds last night due to fear of storm surges.

There has been little contact with Tonga since the underwater volcano eruption yesterday.

Preparation is critical and the National Disaster Management Office is ready should another weather system affect the group.

The National Disaster and Management Office is now focused on getting schools decontaminated and ready for school resumption.

The National Disaster Management Office says 4,630 Fijians are in 162 evacuation centers as of this afternoon.

Three families in Valase settlement in Maui Bay in Nadroga counted themselves lucky following a landslide that damaged their homes.

Fijians are being urged not to wade in floodwaters and to wear protective equipment when cleaning their compounds or fetching livestock.

Clean up began for a number of Nadi families today after flood waters brought in by the Tropical Depression have receded.

The National Disaster Management Office has confirmed that a total of 4,069 Fijians are taking shelter in evacuation centres around the country.