Flood-prone river burst its banks again on Thursday

In Samoa, there's major flooding in parts of the Apia Township and landslides in other vulnerable parts of the country following extreme heavy rain yesterday evening-Thursday.

River banks have burst and traffic has been brought to a complete stop in some places in the capital YESTERDAY AFTER WORK.

The Disaster Management Office has urged people all over Samoa to exercise extreme caution as heavy rain continues, and to stay home unless it's absolutely necessary to go somewhere.

Those living in low lying areas prone to flooding have also been urged to evacuate.

The bad weather is the result of "another active" convergence zone, according to the latest weather report from the Samoa Meteorology Office.

The Samoa Met Division this morning issued the PUBLIC SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION NUMBER FIVE (C05) FOR SAMOA. The statement reads:

The convergence zone with associated convective clouds and embedded heavy rain lies within the vicinity of the islands providing cloudy periods with increased moisture in the atmosphere as seen on latest satellite data. This system is predicted to increase and maintain the possibility of heavy downpours, thunderstorms and gusty winds for the group. As a result, the Heavy Rain and Flood Warning remain in effect for all of Samoa.

Potential Impacts:

Heavy downpours with poor visibility and gusty winds, foggy and slippery roads over mountain passes and ranges, pooling near roadsides and waterways. River overflows and landslides.