Fiji to monitor weather reports: Tropical Cyclone Winston warning.

By Peter Solo Kinjap

The Fiji Government through the National Disaster Management Office is urging the public to closely monitor weather reports in response to the movement of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Latest weather report indicate that the TC Winston is moving close to the Fiji Group and is expected to affect parts of the central division including Kadavu and Suva. Both the Nadi Weather Office and disaster officials are closely tracking the movement of the Cyclone which could bring about flash flooding and strong destructive winds. While the cyclone is a Category 4, the momentum of its movement has the potential to later develop into a Category 5.

The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Develop and National Disaster Management permanent secretary Meleti Bainimarama said the public should monitor all weather reports and take the necessary precautions now.

"The latest weather report will bring about destructive winds and flash flooding in parts of the central division so Fijians must secure their homes, their properties, their businesses or their livestock”, Mr Bainimarama said.

“Fijians living in flood prone areas should also prepare for evacuation in case of flooding or damage to properties”.

Mr Bainimarama has also called on parents and guardians to monitor the movement of their children and to always monitor their whereabouts.

Mariners and fishermen are urged to refrain from travelling out to sea.

-The latest weather report from the Nadi Weather Office-

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE WINSTON CENTRE [945HPA] CATEGORY 4 WAS LOCATED NEAR 17.4 SOUTH 172.8 WEST OR ABOUT 720KM EAST-NORTHEAST OF ONO-I-LAU OR ABOUT 640KM EAST OF LAKEBA AT 3AM. THE CYCLONE IS MOVING WEST AT ABOUT 9KM/HR. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS OF 175KM/HR AND MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 250KM/HR.

ON THIS TRACK, THE CYCLONE IS EXPECTED TO BE LOCATED ABOUT 460KM EAST OF LAKEBA OR ABOUT 550KM NORTHEAST OF ONO-I-LAU AT 3PM TODAY AND ABOUT 250KM EAST OF LAKEBA OR ABOUT 380KM NORTHEAST OF ONO-I-LAU AT 3AM TOMORROW.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS MAY BEGIN SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE CYCLONE CENTRE PASSES OVER HEAD OR NEARBY.

[EMERGENCY CONTACTS FOR THE PUBLIC TO CONTACT]

Divisional Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Contacts

Eastern Division EOC – 7848858/7775787/9904589/9904589/3216464

Central Division EOC – 3477000/9906320

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