Tropical cyclone expected to form

The Nadi Weather Office has now called on the people of the country to be prepared for the worst as a tropical cyclone is expected to form near Vanuatu within the next two days and head towards the Fiji group.Director, Rajendra Prasad said the two troughs of low pressure systems currently located in the group will bring continuous heavy rain from this afternoon and the weather system is expected to continue if the tropical cyclone forms near Vanuatu. However Prasad said people should take precautionary measures now as continuous heavy rain is expected in the Northern and Southern parts of the country. Meanwhile, residents of Labasa namely Nawadamu and Vunivau say that it has stopped raining in their areas and add that some people are beginning to clean their houses after the floods.However some of the roads are still inaccessible to the public.Roshni Kumar of Vunivau said that the people are expecting the worst as flood waters started rising around 3.30 this morning and they are taking all the necessary precautions for this afternoon.Kumar adds that the situation has not normalized. Jack Fox of Nawadamu said while people are cleaning up, they are preparing for more heavy rain and a rise in water levels as it will soon be high tide. High tide is expected at 11:30am.Meanwhile, many parts in Labasa are without power due to a fallen power line in the Boca area.The Fiji Electricity Authority said the areas affected include Nawadamu Housing, the whole of Waiqele, the whole of Korotari, Vunimoli, the whole of Bulileka, the whole of Batinikama and the whole of Vunicuicui.According to FEA, technicians are currently working on areas that are not flooded and power is expected to be restored soon.FEA is also calling people to take extra precautions as circumstances may cause any power lines to be live at any time and people are asked to treat every line as being live.In, Savusavu, Taveuni and Nabouwalu, Police confirm that there are no reports of flooding. Stay with Village News for updates.