Heavy rain alert for Fiji

A heavy rain alert is now in force for Fiji.

A strong wind warning remains in force for the land areas of Lau Group and is now in force for Vanua Levu. A strong wind warning remains in force for Lau and Vanua Levu waters.

The Nadi Weather Office says a weak trough of low pressure lies over the eastern parts of Fiji while another active trough of low pressure lies to the northeast of the group, it is expected to drift southwest and affect the northern and eastern parts of the country from tonight.

It says these anticipated bad weather conditions may cause flash flooding of low lying and flood prone areas during persistent localised heavy falls, lightning strikes during thunderstorms, flooding of small rivers, creeks and crossings and landslides.

They further say the anticipated low pressure system has developed near Vanuatu adding the system is expected to linger over open waters between Fiji and Vanuatu in the next few days.

It adds the chance of this system developing into a tropical cyclone is low from now until Sunday.

They say however, from Monday onwards the probability of this low intensifying further may increase to moderate.

The Weather Office also says from Friday and into the weekend, a trough that is associated with this low pressure system is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds over the Fiji group.

The Fiji Meteorological Service will continue to monitor this weather event and issue warnings and forecasts accordingly.