Fiji on alert as cyclone bears down

Tropical Cyclone Mona is gathering strength in the Pacific and has intensified to a category two storm as it spins towards the Fijian island of Vanua Levu, MetService says.

Mona was packing winds of 130kmh yesterday, and was predicted to maintain its category two strength as it reached northern and central areas of Fiji today, before turning towards southern Fiji tomorrow.

Across Fiji, some domestic flights and ferry sailings have been cancelled, and people are being told to stay away from the sea, with very rough seas forecast.

Mona is joined in the Pacific Ocean by Tropical Cyclone Penny, but Penny is expected to remain in the Coral Sea northeast of Queensland and not affect any Pacific islands.

The Fiji Meteorological Service said Mona’s high winds could cause damage to well-built homes, uproot trees, and severely damage weak structures and shallow-rooted crops.

Following days of heavy rain, the country is sodden, and the government has opened an emergency operations centre in anticipation of probable floods.

Viliame Vereivalu, acting director of meteorology in Fiji, said he expected flooding to cause problems. Communities in low coastal, flood-prone and low-lying areas, and landslide-prone areas, were reminded to remain alert and take all necessary precautions.