SUVA, April 5 (Xinhua) -- People living in the northern and western parts of Fiji were warned on Thursday to take precautions as heavy rain and severe flooding were expected to continue over the next couple of days following a tropical disturbance.

The Weather Office of Nadi, the third largest city of Fiji, warned of Tropical Disturbance TD13F spotted about 720 kilometers north west of Fiji on Thursday. It was expected to develop into a tropical depression by Sunday, the office added.

Fiji Meteorology Service Director Ravindra Kumar said that the tropical disturbance is currently near Vanuatu and is expected to intensify further into a tropical cyclone as it moves towards Fiji.

Heavy rain is expected to increase from later Thursday and flash flooding is also likely as all schools remained closed in the western and northern parts of Fiji.

The public has been advised to stay off flooded roadways and drivers are advised not to get into water of unknown depths and current as this can be life threatening.

A total of 30 families in Labasa, capital city of Fiji's northern island, have been evacuated due to flooding while a total of 39 evacuation centers are active in the western part with 2,244 evacuees.