A heavy rain warning is now in force for the Fiji group.
Acting Director of the Nadi Weather Office, Aminiasi Tuidraki said this is based on the indirect effects that Fiji will experience when Tropical Cyclone Pam comes further South from Northern Vanuatu.
Tropical Cyclone Pam is now a Category 4 system and is located near 11.8 South 170.1 East or about 1,030 kilometres North West of Nadi at 6am today.
It is still intensifying and now travelling at a speed of 4 kilometres per hour.
On this track, the centre of the cyclone is expected to remain to the far West of Fiji.
However the broad system’s rain bands is expected to affect Fiji till this weekend.
The Weather Office also said that localised heavy rain may lead to flash flooding in low lying areas from today.
Tuidraki said Tropical Cyclone Pam is becoming so broad that it will bring a lot of rain.
He said the rain measured around the system is already about 200 to 300 millimetres in 24 hours. Tuidraki says this would be the main concern for Fiji at this stage.
He said it has been raining heavily in Vanua Levu, Yasawa and Lau since last night and they have been recording high amount of rainfall.
Earth Wind Map:
