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Flood-hit Fiji braces for cyclone

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Fiji
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ABC
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Fiji is bracing for a cyclone which could reignite the country's flood crisis, as the clean-up from last week's flooding continues.

A tropical depression is heading towards Fiji and meteorologists say it could become a cyclone.

The accompanying rain could have a devastating effect on Western district, which is already struggling to cope after the recent deluge.

At least six people have died from the floods and a state of disaster is still in place for Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Sigatoka and Rakiraki.

The Fiji Red Cross is leading relief efforts, providing drinking water, clothing, first aid treatment and health awareness for flood victims.

Director-General Christopher Ho has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat more than a thousand families have already been affected, and more rain could make things much worse.

"The grounds are already saturated and it wouldn't take much now for another greater havoc to be created," he said.

"With the rains and the strong winds, the possibility for the situation to compound is very high.

"We will be assessing, in terms of the provision of relief, we will need to monitor that very, very closely at this stage, mainly due to the sense that we've already assisted most of the communities that have been isolated, but if we have this situation it could be a double up in terms of our efforts."

Australian Broadcasting Corporation: © ABC