Tropical Cyclone Mona (CAT 1) was located near 15.1degrees’ south latitude and 179.8 degrees’ east longitude or about 120km north-northwest of Udu Point or about 160km north-northeast of Labasa at 4pm today. TC Mona is moving east-southeast at about 22km/hr.On the forecast track, the centre is expected to be located about 80km east-southeast of Taveuni or about 160km east-southeast of Labasa at 4am tomorrow morning and about 10km east of Lakeba or about 260km south-southeast of Taveuni at 4pm tomorrow afternoon.Damaging winds are likely to begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes overhead or nearby.
For Cikobia, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Rabi, Qamea, Kioa, Laucala, Matagi, Lau and Lomaiviti Group and Kadavu: Expect strong to damaging gale force with speeds of 55 to 85km/hr and gusts up to 120km/hr. Expect periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms. Flooding including sea flooding of low lying areas likely and damaging heavy swells.
For the rest of Fiji: Expect fresh to strong southeast winds with speeds of 45 to 55km/hr and gusts up to 80km/hr. Expect periods of rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms over eastern half of Viti Levu from Tavua, Tailevu, Suva to Serua.
For the rest of Viti Levu and Mamanuca Group: Expect occasional showers and few thunderstorms and possible isolated heavy falls. Flooding of low lying areas likely.
Over Northern Vanua Levu Waters, Koro Sea, Lau Waters, Kadavu and Vatu-i-Ra Passages: Mariners can expect gales force winds 35 to 45 knots gusting to 55 knots with high seas. For the rest of Fiji Waters: expect 25 to 30 knots gusting to 40 knots with rough to very rough and damaging heavy swells.
The following alerts and warnings remain in force:
A “Gale Warning” remains in force for Cikobia, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Rabi, Qamea, Kioa, Laucala, Matagi, Lau and Lomaiviti Group and Kadavu;
A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in for the rest of Fiji;
A “Heavy Rain Warning” remains in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Group, eastern half of Viti Levu and Kadavu;
A “Flood Warning” remains in force for all low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to major rivers of Fiji, low lying areas and small streams adjacent to and downstream of Naqali
Station, low lying areas and small streams adjacent to Bagata Station and downstream of Bagata River, low lying areas and small streams adjacent to Dewala Station and downstream of Labasa River, low lying areas and small streams adjacent to Qawa Bridge Station and Downstream of Qawa River; and
A “Flood Alert” remain in force for low lying areas and small streams adjacent to Dreketilailai Station and downstream of Labasa River.
Level at Naqali Station was 3.96m at 3pm today which is 0.46m above warning level and increasing. Level at Bagata Station was 3.56m at 03.00pm which is 0.56m above warning level and increasing. Level at Bagata Station was 1.13m at 03.00pm which is 0.16m below alert level and decreasing. Level at Dreketilailai Station was 1.10m at 03.00pm which is 0.27m below alert level and increasing.
All communities living in low coastal, flood prone and low lying areas are reminded to remain alert and take all necessary precautions especially with the next high tide at 7.24pm tonight, similarly for those living in landslide prone areas. 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.
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.
VILIAME VEREIVALU
ACTING DIRECTOR OF METEOROLOGY
Full release and weather image: http://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=aerosum#Media%20Releases/Media%20Release%20No%2019.pdf
