Disaster assessment underway after flash floods in Solomon Islands

Disaster assessments are underway in the Solomon Islands capital after a freak storm on Wednesday night caused flash flooding.

The National Disaster Management Office said initial assessments in Honiara show the biggest impact has been on people living in squatter settlements.

The NDMO director Loti Yates said the torrential downpour, which continued for most of Thursday, will have negative impacts on water and sanitation, people's food gardens and pose the risk of disease outbreaks.

Mr Yates said more detailed assessments are being carried out today to ensure affected communities get the support they need to recover.

He said the floods have also severely damaged road networks in the capital undoing months of work by the government and local contractors to try and improve roads and ease traffic congestion.