Tropical Cyclone Alert for Viti Levu, Yasawa, Kadavu & Vatulele

A Tropical Cyclone Alert is now in force for Viti Levu, Yasawa, Kadavu and Vatulele.

There is also a strong wind warning for land areas in the Fiji group.

The Weather Office says Tropical Depression 03F is likely to intensify further into a Category 1 Tropical Cyclone later today.

TDO3F is located 430 kilometres west of Nadi.

It is moving very slowly.

Please note that damaging winds are likely to begin a few hours before the cyclone centre passes nearby.

You should expect strong winds to increase to damaging gale force winds from later tomorrow if you live in the Western parts of Viti Levu, Kadavu, Vanua Levu, Yasawa and Mamanuca Group.

Winds of this strength can cause significant damage to houses of very light materials or unshielded structures with blown roofs in exposed communities, damage power lines and disrupt communication networks, damage plants and crops, break twigs of small trees and cause disruption to transport.

There will be continuous heavy rain when TD03F moves closer.

With the soil already saturated from rainfall in the last couple of days, there is a high risk of landslides and flooding of rivers, streams and creeks, flood-prone and low lying areas.

There is also a risk of lightning strikes during thunderstorms.

From today, very rough seas with significant wave heights of about four to five metres are expected over northern Vanua Levu waters, Yasawa and Mamanuca waters, Viti Levu waters and Vatu-i-Ra and Kadavu passages.

If you live along the coastal areas especially in the Western Division, Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, please stay alert for possible coastal inundation, especially during high tide.