A state of natural disaster has been declared for flood-stricken western Fiji with more stormy weather predicted.
The emergency zone named on Sunday is for most of Fiji's Western Division, including the Lautoka, Nadi, Tavua, Ba, Nadroga and Navosa districts.
It follows flooding in which at least three people have died and 4000 have been forced into evacuation centres.
Fiji's permanent secretary for provincial development and natural disaster management, Lieutenant Colonel Inia Seruiratu, says the declaration will mean the worst hit areas will get special help needed to recover.
Lt Col Seruiratu said damage to roads and bridges had hindered the response, Fiji Live website reported.
He added that Fiji's Central Division was also at risk, in particular the town of Nausori.
"The water levels in Navua are receding but it is up to bank levels and so far to our knowledge ... Nausori town has minor drainage problems and this is an issue especially with stagnation."
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama would be visiting the delta areas in Nausori, he said.
Meanwhile, Fiji's Meteorological Service has issued a tropical cyclone alert and a strong wind warning remains.
Senior meteorologist Amit Singh says a depression moving southeast is expected to intensify and possibly become a tropical cyclone in the next 24 to 36 hours, bringing gale force winds.
Periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms, severe flooding of major rivers, streams and low-lying areas including sea flooding of low-lying coastal areas are also possible.
Nadi International Airport is closed to incoming flights but outgoing flights are taking off.
Fiji has urged international airlines to temporarily stop flying tourists into the country, saying visitor safety could not be guaranteed.
"This action is being reluctantly taken by the Fijian government to ensure the safety and convenience of international visitors and Fijian citizens seeking to return to Fiji," Tourism Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said.
The request is believed to be unprecedented for the tourist-dependent South Pacific nation.
National carrier Air Pacific said it had cancelled all inbound flights scheduled for Sunday and was operating only limited outbound flights for passengers who had already checked in at Nadi airport.
