SUVA, Jan 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Fiji is preparing for the arrival of tropical cyclone Ana, which is expected to bring more heavy rain and damaging winds to the island nation.
According to the Nadi Weather Office, the eye of cyclone Ana is expected to be closer to the Yasawa islands, in the western part of Fiji, and approaches Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu early tomorrow, as a category 1 cyclone.
Tropical cyclone Ana is likely to make landfall over Ra, one of the 14 provinces in western Fiji tomorrow, then move over Viti Levu, and track close to Kadavu, the fourth largest island in Fiji, around Monday morning.
Today, the system was located at 200 km northwest of Nadi, Fiji’s third largest city, the office said, adding that, they received reports from the ground that strong winds are already being experienced on Yasawa islands.
In Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island and also in the northern part of the nation, torrential rainfall and strong winds have caused a power outage in the greater area of Labasa, capital of Vanua Levu.
Fijians are advised to prepare for more heavy rain and flooding, as winds of up to 65 km per hour, with gusts of up to 90 km per hour hits the country.
The strong winds have the potential to destroy weak structures, disrupt electrical power distribution and communication services. It can also cause severe damage to crops and vegetation. There is an increased risk of landslides, flash flooding of low lying areas and flooding of streams and rivers, as the ground is already saturated.
Tropical cyclone Ana can bring high waves of possibly more than six metres to the coastal areas of the islands, such such Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
In a related development, the nationwide curfews reverted to the daily 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time today, after a shift in the projected path of tropical cyclone Ana.
Currently, thousands of Fijians have moved to evacuation centres across the nation.
Last Dec, tropical cyclone Yasa hit Fiji, killing four people and causing extensive damage to houses and schools, especially in the northern part of the island nation.
The tropical cyclone season in the South Pacific region runs between Nov and Apr every year, and Fiji was predicted to experience up to three tropical cyclones during the current season.
