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A Tropical Disturbance 09F was located near 20.6 latitude South and 179.2 longitude East or about 170km South-southwest of Matuku or about 200km South-southeast of Kadavu at 2pm this afternoon. It is slow moving and expected to move east-southeast further away from Fiji and has low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. However, associated trough of low pressure with cloud and rain continues to affect the group. The following warnings and alert are currently in force:
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A “Heavy Rain Warning” remains in force for the whole of Fiji;
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A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in force for all Fiji Waters;
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A “Strong Wind Warning” remains in force for land areas of Lau and Lomaiviti Group;
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A “Flood Warning” remains in force for low lying areas and areas adjacent to Rakiraki Town and downstream of Rakiraki Station; and
“Flood Alert” remains in force for the low lying areas and small streams adjacent to Nadi Town and downstream of Nadi Bridge, Emuri station and downstream of Semo River and other major rivers for the whole of Fiji. The river levels are expected to fluctuate with rain continuing.
Flood Alert and Warning that were previously in force for other areas has been cancelled. The current alerts and warnings are expected to be cancelled tonight or tomorrow.
Strong northwest winds with average speeds of 40km/hr to 55km/hr with gusts of up to 75km/hr can be expected over land areas of Lau and Lomaiviti Group. Expect periods of rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms to continue.
For the rest of Fiji, occasional rain, heavy at times and squally thunderstorms is anticipated with moderate to fresh northwest winds, strong and gusty at times.
Significant amounts of rainfall have been recorded in the last 24 to 48 hours in the Western Division. Although rain is expected to gradually ease, there still remains considerable danger of localised flooding over next 24 hours as the ground is extremely saturated. An improvement in weather is anticipated later tomorrow through Thursday before another spell of heavy rain affects the country from Friday. It is advisable that people take alerts, warnings and advisories seriously whenever it is issued and remain prepared at all times. The weather is being closely monitored over and updates will be provided as any significant changes are observed or expected.
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
ENDS.