TD05F to develop into a cyclone early tomorrow as it heads towards Fiji

Be ready for widespread heavy rain, flooding and damaging winds as Tropical Depression 05F is expected to develop into a cyclone early tomorrow as it heads towards Fiji.

TDO5F is located midway between Fiji and Vanuatu or about 550 kilometres West North West of Nadi.

The Nadi Weather Office says the system is currently moving North East at about 15 kilometres per hour and is expected to track South East towards Fiji in the next 24 hours.

On its anticipated development and track, the system may bring damaging winds over Yasawa Group and the Northern Division early tomorrow. Expect strong winds over the rest of the Fiji Group which may increase to damaging winds from later tomorrow.

The gale force and strong winds has the potential to cause destruction to weak structures, disruption of electrical power distribution and communication services.

It can also cause severe damage to crops and vegetation.

With the ground already saturated and more rain forecast, there is increased risk of landslides, flash flooding of low lying areas and flooding of streams and rivers.

If you are living in flood and landslide prone areas, remain alert and take precautions now.

Stay away from flooded drains, streams and rivers while drivers are requested to take extreme care as there is a risk of poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

TD05F which may possibly be a cyclone as it moves closer towards the group, can bring high waves of possibly more than 6 metres which poses the risk of possible high waves and coastal inundation along coastlines especially over Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Yasawa and Mamanuca. The high waves will be enhanced during high tides.

Sea conditions will be too dangerous for sailing and other sea activities.

A Tropical Cyclone Warning is in force for the whole of Fiji.

A flash flood warning remains in force for all low lying areas and small streams near major rivers of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

A flood warning remains in force for low lying areas, small streams next to and areas adjacent to and downstream of Qawa River in Vanua Levu, Nakauvadra and Penang rivers in Rakiraki, Nasivi River in Tavua, Matawalu and Vitogo rivers in Lautoka, Elevuka Creek, Navala and Ba River and Semo River in Sigatoka.

Areas that are already flooded include small streams next to Qawa River, Dreketilailai, Boubale and Urata crossings, Korovou flats between Tavua Town and Nadarivatu Junction, Ba Town and Rakiraki Town.

A Flood Alert is now in force for low lying areas and small creeks and streams next to and downstream of Keiyasi, Sigatoka, Nadi and Navua rivers.

Areas included in the flash flood warning for Vanua Levu are Nabouwalu to Labasa, Nabouwalu to Kubulau, Dawara to Naibalebale Village along Wailevu West Coast Road, Naibalebale Village to Savusavu, Savusavu to Natewa and Tunuloa, Koroalau, Saqani to Labasa.

Areas included in the flash flood warning for Viti Levu are low lying areas from Sigatoka to Lautoka to Rakiraki – Semo in Nadroga, Nawaicoba, Nadi Back Road, Lomolomo and Barara flats, Navutu flats, Lovu, Saru Back Road, Vuda Back Road in Lautoka, Koronubu flat, Namosau, Veisaru, Varavu flats, Nailaga and other low lying areas in Ba.

A heavy rain warning also remains in force for Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa and Northern Lau Group and is now in force for the rest of Fiji.