Stay alert as heavy rain, flooding and strong winds expected – NDMO and Fiji Met

Expect strong winds and heavy rain in certain parts of the country as a weather system located near New Caledonia is expected to pass over open waters off Fiji.

The Fiji NDMO and the Fiji Meteorological Service are closely monitoring Tropical Depression – TD05F.

It is currently located to the North of New Caledonia.

TD05F is expected to develop into a Category 1 tropical cyclone late this afternoon or evening, and is anticipated to intensify further into a Category 2 system in the next 24 to 36 hours.

Weather Office Acting Director, Terry Atalifo has advised that TD05F is likely to track over open waters and remain to the south-southwest of Fiji, about 700 kilometres south-southwest of Nadi around 6am on Friday.

He says as it does, the associated trough of low pressure is expected to approach the group from the West and is likely to lie close to Fiji.

A trough of low pressure has also been analysed over the northern parts of Fiji and is gradually moving towards the country.

These systems will bring heavy rain and thunderstorms over parts of the Fiji group from tomorrow onwards, especially over Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, Western and Northern Viti Levu [Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki, Interior Ba and Interior Ra], Kadavu, Beqa and Vatulele, Bua Province and Eastern Macuata Province.

A Heavy Rain Alert has been issued for these areas and showers are expected to increase and become more frequent over these areas from tomorrow afternoon.

Strong and gusty winds are expected from tonight over Yasawa and Mamanuca Waters, Southwest Viti Levu Waters and Kadavu Passage.

The Weather Office is also advising the general public to be on alert as the highest tide of the year or the “King Tide” is anticipated this Sunday, January 22nd.

Coupled with the effects of wind-driven waves expected from TD05F, particularly from the 20th to the 24th, there is a “high risk” of coastal flooding over coastal areas of Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, western Viti Levu to Coral Coast, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Moala Group, Central and Southern Lau Group.

There is low to moderate risk of coastal flooding for the rest of Fiji’s coastal areas.

Given the forecast and alerts issued, Fiji NDMO Director, Vasiti Soko confirms that the National and Divisional Emergency Operations Centres have been activated from today as they continue to work closely with Fiji Met Services in monitoring the current weather situation.