Tropical Cyclone alert remains in force for the Fiji Group

A Tropical Cyclone Alert remains in force for the Fiji Group and a  Tropical Cyclone Warning remains in place for Rotuma.

The Nadi Weather Office confirms that the Tropical Depression is located 410 kilometres West North West of Rotuma and about 800 kilometres North North West of Nadi.

It is moving Eastwards towards us at about 10 kilometres per hour, and is expected to gradually intensify into a category 1 tropical cyclone later today.

The cyclone is expected to affect the whole of the Fiji Group from later today. Expect damaging winds and continuous heavy rain from tonight going into tomorrow. This will intensify from later tonight as the system comes closer to the Fiji Group.

Strong winds may cause loose objects to fly, damage to root crops and break tree branches. It may even cause damages to weak structures and blow away roofs when it intensifies to damaging winds.

The cyclone is expected to make landfall over Vanua Levu tomorrow, and the effects will be felt over Vanua Levu, Viti Levu and nearby smaller islands.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, Lomaiviti and Northern Lau Group.

A heavy rain alert remains in force for the rest of the Fiji Group.

The active rain bands associated with the weather system are already affecting the Fiji Group.

Expect flash flooding of low lying areas and sea flooding along coastal areas especially during high tides on the onset of damaging winds.

Situational Report

Parts of Queens Highway flooded
Story by: Navitalai Naivalurua

Floodwaters are starting to come on parts of Queens Highway along Vunaniu flats and Naboutini in Serua and Namatakula in Nadroga.

A truck driver has told Fijivillage that the Queens Highway at Naboutini and Vunaniu flats is only accessible for heavy goods vehicles.

We have contacted the Fiji Roads Authority and they are expected to release more details soon.

All schools in the Northern Division to be closed tomorrow

Story by: Rashika Kumar

All schools in the Northern Division will be closed tomorrow while schools in Viti Levu will remain open.

Speaking to the heads of schools in Nausori, Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar also says schools in Rotuma have been closed due to the current weather condition.

Akbar says further decisions on closure of schools will be made depending on the weather conditions.

Government agencies on standby in the North

Story by: Naveel Krishant

All government agencies and the Emergency Operations Centre in the Northern Division are on standby as the Tropical Depression which is expected to intensify into a cyclone heads towards the group.

Acting Commissioner Northern, Uraia Rainima says all evacuation centres are also on standby and will be activated when necessary.

Rainima says they are on their way to Dreketi to visit families who have been affected by TC Sarai.

He is also advising people to take heed of all the warnings that have been given.

24 guests at Leleuvia Island Resort evacuate ahead of weather system approaching Fiji

Story by: Dhanjay Deo

24 guests at Leleuvia Island Resort have taken necessary precautions and moved out of the resort with the weather system approaching Fiji.

Leleuvia Island Resort is situated in the Lomaiviti Group between Bau and Levuka.

According to the Management, the resort remains open and its just the guests who have decided to move out and take shelter in Suva.

Fijians urged to store water although WAF has generators at all major treatment plants

Story by: Pratika Mala

The Water Authority of Fiji says they now have generators on standby at all their major water treatment plants around the country to provide electricity to their systems.

Some areas were affected by water cuts after the power cuts during Tropical Cyclone Sarai.

Although they have standby generators, the Water Authority is still urging all Fijians to boil and store water for consumption in sufficient amounts as supply may still be disrupted during adverse weather.

The Authority says failing of water pumps due to clogging, burst mains, water treatment problems due to high turbidity levels and electricity supply issues are some of the reasons water supply may be disrupted.

They add that water carting trucks are on standby and will be deployed as needed to impacted areas. High priority will be given to hospitals.

Major water treatment plants are in Waila, Tamavua, Nagado, Saru, Buabua, Waiwai, Vatukoula, Korovou, Navua and Deuba.

Stay with us for developments.