Fijians need to prepare now for the upcoming tropical cyclone season as two to three tropical cyclones are likely to pass through Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone during the 2023-2024 tropical cyclone season, of which one to two may reach severe Category.
According to the Fiji Meteorological Service tropical cyclone seasonal outlook for the 2023-2024 season, there is equal risk of tropical cyclones affecting any part of the Fiji Group during the season.
The seasonal outlook also states that while the peak tropical cyclone activities are usually from January to March, tropical cyclones can form any time during the season, and out-of-season tropical cyclones cannot be ruled out.
While launching the 2023 National Disaster Week, Minister for Meteorological Services Ro Filipe Tuisawau says to predict the outlook for the 2023-24 tropical cyclone season, analogue seasons were identified, that is, seasons in the past with a similar background climate to the present.
He says half of these historic seasons had at least one Category 5 tropical cyclone, and the most infamous of these is the Tropical Cyclone Winston in the 2015-2016 season.
Tuisawau is urging communities to remain alert and be well-prepared for severe tropical cyclone events during the coming season.
The Minister says the whole purpose of releasing the tropical cyclone seasonal outlook is to provide a heads-up for the upcoming tropical cyclone season and ensure that necessary preparatory work is undertaken now.
He says trimming tree branches away from windows and powerlines should be undertaken now and people should check their homes for structural weaknesses and take appropriate remedial action, and not during the height of a tropical cyclone.
He also suggested that people clear all drains and waterways on the property and become aware of the cyclone warning system.
The Minister says it does not take a direct hit or a severe tropical cyclone to cause considerable damage or life-threatening weather.
He says in the past, tropical disturbances and tropical depressions have created havoc with extreme rainfall and severe flooding, and communities and businesses should be vigilant throughout the tropical cyclone season and take heed of all weather alerts and warnings.
According to the Fiji Meteorological Services, the tropical cyclone season is from November to April.
