Tropical Cyclone warning issued for some areas of the Fiji Group

The Fiji Meteorological Service says the Tropical Disturbance  has now intensified into a Tropical Depression and continues to track closer to Fiji.                             

Acting Director of Fiji Meteorological Service, Viliame Vereivalu says the Tropical Depression is expected to intensify into a Tropical Cyclone within the next 12 to 18 hours.

The Tropical Depression was located at about 360km west-northwest of Rotuma and about 780km north-northwest of Nadi at 10am today.

The system is currently moving east-southeast at about 25km/hr and is expected to start tracking southeast in the next 3 to 6 hours.

A Tropical Cyclone warning is now in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Rotuma and Yasawa Group and Northern Viti Levu which is from Ba, Rakiraki to Tailevu North.

TD03F Forecast Track Map as at 8:16am 31st December 2018 [Photo: met.gov.fj]

These areas should expect damaging gale force winds with an average speed of 65 kilometres per hour and momentary gusts to 90 kilometres per hour.

Damaging gale force winds and heavy rain are expected over Rotuma from this afternoon.

Damaging gale force winds and heavy rain are expected over Yasawa group, Vanua levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands and Northern Viti Levu from tonight and over Lau and Lomaiviti group from tomorrow.

A Tropical Cyclone alert remains in force for Lau and Lomaiviti Group.

A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of the land areas in Fiji.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for the Eastern half of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Lau and Lomaiviti group.

A flood alert is in force for the low lying areas and areas adjacent to major rivers of Vanua Levu and Rewa to Navua.

The rain experienced around the country over the weekend was caused by the two low pressure systems affecting Fiji from the South and North.

However, rain is anticipated to become frequent and heavy from later today as the Tropical Depression moves closer and enters the Fiji group.

The Fiji Meteorological Service says this Tropical Depression which is expected to intensify into a Tropical Cyclone has the potential to produce more than 100mm of rainfall in 24 hours.