Damage bill for Fiji floods passes $17m

By New Zealand correspondent Dominique Schwartz

The floods that hit Fiji last week are estimated to have destroyed half the crops and livestock in the affected area of western Viti Levu.

The Fiji Times says the total damage bill is more than $17 million, with the sugar industry taking one of the biggest hits.

The floods have killed six people and forced 3,500 people into evacuation centres.

Scores of roads and bridges were washed out and power and water supplies damaged.

The Times says the sugar industry has sustained damage worth almost $10 million.

It says four mills were affected and cane crops destroyed.

Heavy rain is forecast in Fiji from Monday evening and a flash-flood warning is in place.

There are also concerns that a tropical depression may develop into a cyclone later this week.