Low-pressure system intensifies into tropical disturbance but low potential to develop into a cyclone

The low-pressure system associated with the active trough of low pressure currently affecting the Fiji Group has intensified into a tropical disturbance, TD04F, however the potential for the tropical disturbance to develop into a tropical cyclone over Fiji waters is very low.

The Nadi Weather Office says the system located 140 kilometres southwest of Yasawa-i-Rara, is drifting eastwards and expected to move away from the Western Division overnight and gradually from the rest of the country by later tomorrow.

A Flood Warning is in force for Ba and Rakiraki Rivers, while a Flood Alert is in force for Nasivi River in Tavua.

The water level in the Ba River has surpassed the warning level.

A Flash Flood Warning remains in force for flood prone areas, small streams and low-lying crossings in the Western, Central and Eastern Divisions.

The next high tide is at around 6pm this evening.

With the already swollen rivers, creeks and streams and expected continuation of rainfall in the Western and Central Divisions, people in these areas should be particularly vigilant for flooding over the course of this afternoon and evening with the high tide later this afternoon.

A Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for the whole of Fiji Group.

A Strong Wind Warning is in force for the land areas of Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, Northern Viti Levu (Tavua to Rakiraki), northern Bua, Macuata province, and Lau and Lomaiviti Groups.

Significant amount of rainfall has been experienced in the Western and Central Divisions in the past 24 hours, with many areas recording more than 100 millimetres of rainfall.

The low-lying and flood-prone areas in the Western Division are at an elevated risk of flooding as the water levels are rising in the rivers, streams and creeks.

While the Northern and Eastern Divisions are not getting much rain, the rain bands are expected to drift towards them later this afternoon or overnight. Therefore, low-lying and flood prone-areas in these areas are also at risk of inundation.

Tropical disturbance, TD04F, is likely to result in strong winds of up to 45km/hr, gusting to 80km/hr over the land areas of Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, northern Viti Levu (Tavua to Rakiraki), northern Bua, Macuata province, and Lau and Lomaiviti Groups today and tomorrow.

Winds of this strength could cause isolated damage to tree branches, and houses of very light materials or unshielded structures in exposed communities.

Weather conditions are expected to ease from the Western Division overnight and gradually over the rest of the Group. Generally fine weather is expected over the coming weekend.