People should now make necessary preparations as a Tropical Cyclone Gale force warning has been issued for the Western parts of the Fiji group.
These areas include the Western Viti Levu from Sigatoka to Tavua, and Kadavu, Yasawa, Mamanuca group and nearby smaller islands.
At 3pm today Tropical Cyclone Lusi was located at 650 km West of Nadi and is moving South-East at 15km per hour.
Nadi Weather office Director Alipate Waqaicelua said from tonight, winds of up-to 65 km per hour is expected in these areas with gusts of up-to 90 km per hour.
“You need to bear in mind that some of this bands of rain can bring strong gusts that can break branches, plants or shrubs, so it’s good that people take whatever precautions they should or they can while it’s still daylight.”
He said these areas will also have occasional heavy rain and damaging heavy swells.
He said there is also a possibility of localised flash flooding.
Waqaicelua said Cyclone Lusi is still intensifying and expected to become a Category 3 or Hurricane by this evening.
He added that a strong wind warning and damaging heavy swell warning is also in place for the whole of Fiji.
For other parts of Fiji like the Central, Eastern and northern divisions, occasional rain and isolated thunderstorms is expected later in the night and going into tomorrow.
Strong northwest winds with speeds of 45km/hr is also expected in these areas.
Story by: Ronal Deo
Feature
Tropical Cyclone Gale force warning issued for West
