As normal Nadraki is providing FHTA up-to-date weather reports. The latest Tropical Disturbance TD04F is currently located about 500km north-northwest of Nadi.
The President has requested Secretariat to remind all members to check their Tropical Cyclone response plans and to monitor weather reports from Nadraki and Fiji Metrological Services.
The Secretariat will upload the Nadraki weather report on the website as it becomes available.
Please see below the report updated as at 5.08pm today….
Tropical Disturbance TD04F
Tropical Disturbance TD04F is currently located about 500km north-northwest of Nadi or about 100km south-southwest of Rotuma. Currently the depression is slow moving.
Despite all of the chatter on social media about the likelihood of a cyclone developing, the immediate concern is for extensive heavy rain over the next 24 to 48 hours. Rain is expected to increase tonight and tomorrow becoming heavy over much of the country, Heavy rain alert is current for all of Fiji. With the depression slow moving, it is likely that the rain will continue to be heavy tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. Flooding of low lying areas and all small rivers, streams and drainage canals is likely before the end of Thursday.
Computer models do further strengthen the circulation around TD04F later in the week and over the weekend. At this time, the likelihood of this system becoming a tropical cyclone in the next 24 to 48 hours is officially rated as low to moderate by the Nadi Warning centre. In the 48 to 72 hour period the likelihood is probably greater – perhaps moderate to high.
As with most heavy rain events, flooding may disrupt transport, including road, sea and air links domestically and beyond. You should consider options for movements of guests and staff over coming days.
Just to reiterate, the most significant threat for the moment is heavy rain and flooding, starting tomorrow and continuing through to Friday at least.
Longer term a tropical cyclone is likely to develop, in the 48 to 72 hour time frame.
Next update will be usual time tomorrow morning.
