Suva under storm threat February 27, 2014 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom Heavy rain to raise river levels in division By JYOTI PRATIBHA Suva and other parts of the Central Division now face the biggest threat from a possible tropical cyclone, perhaps this weekend. The director meteorology, Alipate Waqaicelua, confirmed last night that a Category One tropical cyclone was likely to cross by Viti Levu, via the Central Division and move towards the eastern parts of the island. While the heavy rain warning had been cancelled in the West, Yasawas and Mamanucas, he reiterated that people should not put down their guards with the change in weather. Today, the tropical depression is expected to move past the Northern Division. Then it is likely to form into a tropical cyclone over the sea and move south-east towards eastern Viti Levu. More rain is forecast to fall today across most parts of Fiji, although the West will see a brief reprieve now that the low has moved over the east on Viti Levu. River levels are predicted to rise this evening, following heavy rain in the interiors. While rain will continue heavy at times winds will not strengthen significantly yet as the depression stays close to the large landmass of Viti Levu. Mr Waqaicelua said the strong wind warning was still in place for all Fiji coastal waters and land areas for the Western Division including offshore islands. A flood alert is current for select rivers in the Tailevu region. Wind is not expected to increase to damaging strength until later on Friday or Saturday morning. Na Draki Weather said in its bulletin at 6pm last night that a strong wind warning was current for all Fiji coastal waters. “A strong wind warning for land areas is current for the Western Division including offshore islands,” it said. “A flood alert is current for select rivers in the Tailevu region. “Tropical Depression TD15F was slowly moving over the eastern coast of Viti Levu yesterday. Extensive cloud and rain associated with the depression covered most of the country bringing persistent and occasionally heavy rain. Widespread minor flooding occurred over the northern and eastern Viti Levu yesterday as well as parts of southern Lau and Kadavu. “More rain is forecast to fall over the next 24 hours across most parts of Fiji, although the West will see a brief reprieve now that the low has moved over the east on Viti Levu. River levels are predicted to rise in the next 24 hours and rivers are likely to exceed flood alert levels especially around the east and the north of Viti Levu, including the Rewa River and its tributaries today. “While rain will continue heavy at times winds will not strengthen significantly yet as the depression stays close to the large landmass of Viti Levu. “Occasional squalls of 60-70kmph are possible in heavy rain. Wind is not expected to increase to damaging strength until later on Friday or Saturday morning. “Mariners listen for warnings and advisories from MSAF. The depression is still expected to push northwards today and as it does intensification is expected with the centre back over water. There is still the high likelihood that this system will become a tropical cyclone later on Friday or Saturday. “At this time the depression will be located over waters north of the Yasawas. As it intensifies it will move on a course likely passing over eastern Viti Levu and Lomaiviti then over Central and Southern Lau, then on towards Tongatapu.” Ra Provincial administrator Kelepi Kubunameca at the temporary bridge near Rakiraki Village that was partially washed away yesterday. The heavy rain warning for the Western Division has now been cancelled, but it remains for the rest of the Fiji Group. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA
Posted on: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 02:30:29 +0000
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