‘PREPARE FOR MORE RAIN’ LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM NEAR
SOLOMON ISLANDS UPGRADED TO TROPICAL DISTURBANCE
Aheavy rain, flood and strong wind warning are now in force for the country, the Fiji Meteorological Service has predicted.
This comes after the low-pressure system near the Solomon Islands was upgraded to a Tropical Disturbance, TD03F, at 11am yesterday. All communities living in flood prone and landslide areas are requested to remain alert because severe weather conditions are predicted in the next few days, the weather office said in a statement.
It further said the tropical disturbance (TD03F) was expected to intensify further and upgrade to a depression within the next 24 hours. It also said TD03F had a low to moderate chance of developing into a Tropical Cyclone in the next 24 to 36 hours. It remains slow moving to the east of the Solomon Islands and is expected to move southeast towards the Group in the next few days and bring heavy rain and strong winds.
The country should expect occasional showers, heavy at times and few thunderstorms over Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti groups, the eastern parts and the interior of the larger islands. Showers are also expected to increase to rain and become frequent and heavy.
For the rest of the country, we should expect cloudy periods with some showers and few thunderstorms.
Showers also expected to become frequent and heavy.
The following alert and warnings remain in force:
A “Heavy Rain Warning” is now in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Group and Eastern Viti Levu;
A “Flood Warning” is now in force for low lying areas adjacent to and downstream of Naqali Station. Water level at Naqali Station was 3.70 metres at 11am yesterday, which was 0.2 metres above warning level and increasing;
A “Flood Alert” is now in force for low lying areas adjacent to major rivers of Vanua Levu and Rewa Catchment;
A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in force for Vatu-i-Ra and Kadavu passages and southwest Viti Levu waters. For southwest Viti Levu waters, Vatu-i-Ra and Kadavu passage, mariners can expect southeast winds 20 to 25 knots and rough seas.
For mariners:
For the rest of Fiji Waters, mariners can expect southeast winds 15 to 20 knots and moderate to rough seas. Localised heavy falls may lead to flash flooding of low lying and flood prone areas which will be elevated from tomorrow.
The Fiji Meteorological Service will continue to monitor the situation closely. Any alert and warning will be issued as and when necessary in the coming days. Members of the public are advised to remain updated with the latest weather information and take alerts and warnings seriously.
For more details and the latest on weather, please contact the National Weather Forecasting Centre on 6736006, 9905376 or visit the Fiji Meteorological Service’s website, www.met.gov.fj. You can also visit the Fiji Meteorological Service official Facebook page for latest updates.