Landslide destroys power lines in central Fiji

Suva, April 2 (IANS) Fiji witnessed destruction of power lines Monday due to landslides,

the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) said, adding its only electricity provider will ration power supply.

According to the FEA, repair works will be carried out once the weather clears but it is estimated to take two weeks to finish.

The company wants to ensure everyone gets some power in the day as it will affect business people that do not have their own generators, Xinhua quoted the FEA as saying.

The rotating blackouts will be initiated as one of FEA's towers suffered damages in a landslide due to heavy rainfall that has also devastated plantations and homes in the island nation.

The FEA has decided to rotate blackouts from Monday. Customers will experience periodic blackouts until the repair works on transmission line are completed and this could also affect communication overseas due to internet and phone connections unavailability.

Fiji's floods have forced almost 8,000 people into 99 evacuation centres as the country grapples with more heavy rain, more flooding and a potential cyclone threat Monday.

The authorities have declared a state of emergency in the flood- hit Western Division famous for its tourism industry.

"Authorities have not ruled out that a state of natural disaster will be declared".