Villagers of Manuku, Batiki in the province of Lomaiviti have stepped up their cyclone preparatory measures as they brace for the impact of Tropical Cyclone Mal.
A villager says their house windows are covered with iron roofing.
While speaking to fijivillage News, district representative Tevita Tavodi says everyone has taken heed of the advisories and have stepped up their preparations to avoid any regrets.
Tavodi says as of now, they have sorted out evacuation centres for the villagers and everyone has prepared well.
He says they are now all bracing for what TC Mal will bring and they are all well prepared.
The centre of Cyclone Mal was located about 520 kilometres West-Northwest of Rotuma and about 880 kilometres Northwest of Yasawa-I-Rara at 9pm last night.
TC Mal is expected to track to the west of Fiji within the next 24 to 48 hours and approach the group as a category 2 cyclone today.
A Storm Warning is now in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, Western and Northern Viti Levu, while a Gale Warning is now in force for Rotuma, western Vanua Levu (Dreketi, Bua to Savusavu), eastern Viti Levu and Lomaiviti Group.
The Nadi Weather Office says this means that damaging cyclone related winds are imminent in these locations within the next 24 hours.
A Storm Alert is in force for Southern Viti Levu, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.
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