People living in the Northern Division have been advised to brace themselves for gale force winds as Tropical Cyclone Evan is expected to impact them within the next 24 to 36 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Evan is currently moving at 12 kilometers per hour towards the West South West.
People living in Cikobia, Vanua Levu, especially the northern coastal area, Taveuni, Kia Island, Yadua Island, Laucala Island, Yasawa Group and Western Viti levu have been urged to take necessary precautions now.
Nadi Weather Director, Alipate Waqaicelua said even though the cyclone centre will not move over them, but these areas will be affected by gale force winds.
Waqaicelua said Tropical Cyclone Evan will remain a category 4 when it hits the Fiji waters.
A category 4 cyclone has very destructive winds between 159 and 200 kilometers per hour and the effects from this can include significant roofing loss, structural damages and widespread power failure.
He added that there is a possibility that Tropical Cyclone Evan can further intensify in the next 12 to 24 hours to become a category 5 however he stressed that it will remain in category 4 when it hits Fiji waters from tomorrow night.
As of mid day, Tropical Cyclone Evan was located at 710 kilometers East North East of Udu Point and 790 kilometers East North East of Labasa.
An alert remains in place for Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Northern Viti Levu, Yasawa, Mamanuca and nearby smaller islands including the Northern Lau group.
Rain will become frequent and heavy with squally thunderstorms from tomorrow evening with damaging heavy swells.
Sea flooding of low lying coastal area is also expected.
Meanwhile for the rest of the Fiji group, rain and thunderstorms are expected to start with moderate to fresh South East winds becoming strong with average speed of 55 kilometers per hour and momentary gusts to 85 kilometers per hour from tomorrow.
The alert for Tonga has now been cancelled.
Story by: Praneeta Prakash
