Tropical cyclone alert in force

The forecast path shown above is the Nadi’s best estimate of the cyclone’s future movement and intensity. There is always some uncertainty associated with tropical cyclone forecasting and the grey zone indicates the range of likely tracks. Picture: Fiji Meteorological Service (www.met.gov.fj)

By WANSOLWARA STAFF

A TROPICAL cyclone alert is now in force for the Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, Viti Levu, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, the Lomaiviti and Southern Lau Group as Tropical Depression TD13F continues to track towards the Fiji Group, according to the Fiji Meteorological Service.

In its special weather bulletin at 8.14pm tonight, the Fiji Met office said TD13F was expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone within the next 12 to 18 hours.

“On this track, if the depression continues to intensify, it may bring damaging gale force winds over the Western Division by late Monday afternoon and early Tuesday over Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, the rest of Viti Levu, Lomaiviti and the Southern Lau Group,” the statement read.

Flooding of low-lying areas and sea flooding of low-lying coastal areas are expected from late Monday afternoon.

The Nadi Weather Office said TD13F’s centre was located about 780 kilometres west of Nadi and 800km west of Yasawa-i-Rara at 6pm today.

TD13F is currently moving northwards but expected to turn and track southeast from later tonight.