Not Over, Yet

More rain expected until tomorrow; chances of tropical disturbances 14F and 15F forming into tropical cyclones are moderate to high

Expect more heavy rains and strong winds till tomorrow. As Tropical Disturbance 14F has a moderate to high chance of developing into a Tropical Cyclone; a third disturbance was monitored near the south of Solomon Islands as of 3pm yesterday.

Fiji Meteorological Service acting director, Misaele Funaki said TD 14F was approximately 800 km West-Northwest off Viwa Island in Tailevu as of 3pm yesterday. “This system, though currently slow moving is expected to move southeastwards and will pass to the West of Fiji; nonetheless, it will cause the active trough cur- rent slow moving over Fiji to linger on till later on Wednesday,” he said. “This system has a moderate to high chance of developing into a Tropical Cyclone but is expected to pass to the West of Fiji.” Mr Funaki said Tropical Disturbance 15F was approximately 100 km south of Kadavu as of 3pm yesterday and is moving south east. “Tropical Disturbance 15F is not expected to develop as it is currently moving into an area of unfavorable conditions,” he said. Mr Funaki said the current weather conditions were expected to get some breaks now and then but it would continue as the active trough which would cause heavy rainfall would remain slow mov- ing over Fiji to late on Wednesday.

“Though these strong winds are not expected to be continuously strong, it will be experienced when the active rain bands approach Fiji from the west.” “Strong North to Northwest winds with average of 20 to 30 knots and momentary gusts of 40 knots; winds will turn westerly from tomorrow,” he said.

Meanwhile, Police spokesperson Inspector Josaia Weicavu said the Police did not want anyone to be included in the next statistics of drowning and fatal accidents. Inspector Weicavu made these comments after issuing a stern warning to parents to be vigilant of their children’s whereabouts during this adverse weather con- ditions. This warning came after children were seen swimming in flooded waters in Nadi and various areas along the Suva-Nausori Corridor. Inspector Josaia Weicavu advised children to stay indoors and to refrain from roaming around aimlessly. Inspector Weicavu also advised drivers to be vigilant on our roads.

Police will also be patrolling the streets, he added.

Photo: DEPTFO News RIGHT: The Nadi River burst its banks at around 9am yesterday. Flooded areas in the the country’s tourist capital included the Nadi Back Road, Korociri, Waqadra, Sabeto, Martintar, lower Namaka areas and parts of Votualevu. More on pages 3,4.

Photo: Waisea Nasokia AND THE WATERS CAME... Flood waters at Nadi Town were knee-deep by midday.

Photo: DEPTFO News Nadi River yesterday.