The Fiji Meteorological Service says the Tropical Disturbance has now intensified into a Tropical Depression and continues to track closer to Fiji.
Acting Director of Fiji Meteorological Service, Viliame Vereivalu says the Tropical Depression is expected to intensify into a Tropical Cyclone within the next 12 to 18 hours.
The Tropical Depression was located at about 470km west-northwest of Rotuma and about 860km northwest of Nadi at 7am today.
The system is currently moving east-southeast at about 22km/hr and is expected to start tracking southeast in the next 6 hours and on the projected path, it is expected to be located about 220km west-southwest of Rotuma or about 560km north-northwest of Nadi at 7 tonight.
A Tropical Cyclone warning is now in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Rotuma and Yasawa Group and Northern Viti Levu which is from Ba, Rakiraki to Tailevu North.
These areas should expect damaging gale force winds with an average speed of 65 kilometres per hour and momentary gusts to 90 kilometres per hour.
Damaging gale force winds and heavy rain are expected over Rotuma from this afternoon.
Damaging gale force winds and heavy rain are expected over Yasawa group, Vanua levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands and Northern Viti Levu from tonight and over Lau and Lomaiviti group from tomorrow.
A Tropical Cyclone alert remains in force for Lau and Lomaiviti Group.
A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of the land areas in Fiji.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for the Eastern half of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Lau and Lomaiviti group.
There is also a flood warning for low lying areas in the eastern half of Viti Levu and this includes low lying areas near Navua River, Rewa River, Wainibuka River, Wainimala and Naqali Rivers.
There is also a flood alert for low lying areas near major rivers in Vanua Levu.
The rain experienced around the country over the weekend was caused by the two low pressure systems affecting Fiji from the South and North.
However, rain is anticipated to become frequent and heavy from later today as the Tropical Depression moves closer and enters the Fiji group.
The Fiji Meteorological Service says this Tropical Depression which is expected to intensify into a Tropical Cyclone has the potential to produce more than 100mm of rainfall in 24 hours.
Onto the situation report:
The Eastern Division is in preparation mode as the Tropical Depression continues to move close to the Fiji group and is projected to affect the Lau and Lomaiviti groups.
Commissioner Eastern, Luke Moroivalu says they are communicating with all their networks on the ground which includes the district officers, provincial administrators and village headman.
He says these officers on the ground are ensuring that those on low lying areas are alerted and that people are aware of their evacuation plan.
Moroivalu says they are also alerting people about where they will need to evacuate if the situation worsens.
