SUVA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Eight of the 17 water sources in central and eastern Fiji have dropped to critical levels as the drought situation on the island nation continues to worsen.

In a statement on Wednesday, Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) said they met with the Fijian government officials on Tuesday to discuss the update on the water situations and its impacts.

WAF Chairman Bhavesh Kumar said so far, in the central and eastern parts of Fiji, eight of the 17 water sources had declined to critical levels.

For western Fiji, five out of the 14 water sources have critical levels while in northern Fiji, six out of the 14 water sources have fallen to its critical level points.

With WAF's 45 water sources nationwide, 39.50 percent have fallen to critical level, 2.38 percent is yet to critical stages, and 58.12 percent are normal.

Mitigation measures such as the construction of temporary coffer dams, water rationing, as well as water carting have been put in place.

"I reiterate and urge members of the public on the importance to please, practice water conservation by ways of minimizing on the washing of cars, driveways as well as watering of gardens,"said Kumar.

Water carting schedules for the rural parts of Fiji and the maritime areas continues.

The Director for Fiji Meteorological Services Ravind Kumar also provided update on the dry spell after the country has been without rain for more than 10 weeks.

WAF General Manager for Customer Services Sekove Uluinayau said in August, WAF had carted over 40 million liters of water to customers affected around Fiji.

He said water tanks are also being placed at strategic locations in affected areas to assist with water carting services.

WAF will also meet with the Fiji Hoteliers Association and town councils to relay the water situation.