Heavy and persistent overnight rainfall on Sunday caused widespread flooding in Labasa.
Commissioner Northern Uraia Rainima said there was so much rain and flooding was expected.
He said some low-lying areas in the two other provinces, Bua and Cakaudrove, were also underwater yesterday.
He said evacuation centres were opened to those seeking shelter.
“In the early hours we tried to move some families from Naodamu, they were taken to the Marine quarters,” he said.
“Other schools which were used as evacuation centres were not occupied.”
He added that despite warnings some adults and children were swimming in flooded rivers and waterways.
“We are giving warnings not for the sake of it. It’s for your own safety.”
He said the cost of damages to infrastructure and loss of crop would be made known after an assessment was conducted.
