Police and the National Disaster Management Office are calling on people living in vulnerable areas to take proactive measures and move to safe areas or evacuation centres before nightfall.
People need to prepare for strong to damaging winds in Viti Levu and other smaller islands from later today and people living in all areas in Fiji need to prepare for strong winds, heavy rain and flooding.
There is also a flood alert now for all major rivers in Fiji.
A tropical cyclone warning has now been issued.
A storm warning is now in place for South West Viti Levu from Nadi through Sigatoka to the Coral Coast.
A gale warning is in force for the rest of Viti Levu, Yasawa and Mamanuca, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.
The Nadi Weather Office says a tropical cyclone alert remains in force for Lomaiviti and Southern Lau Group.
Strong wind warnings remain in force for the rest of Fiji.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for the whole of Fiji.
A flood warning is now in force for the low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to Nasivi River from Nasivi downstream to Tavua Town and for low lying areas, small streams, and areas adjacent to Ba River downstream from Toge to Ba Town.
A flood alert remains in force for the low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to all major rivers of Fiji and for low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to downstream of Nakauvadra from Vatukacevaceva to Rakiraki Town, Tuva River downstream from Tuva and the low lying areas, Nadi River from Votualevu and Namulomulo downstream to Nadi Town and allied villages, Keyasi River downstream from Sigatoka Town and allied villages and Nabukelevu from Sabata to Navua Town.
The centre of Tropical Cyclone Keni is located about 660 kilometres West North West of Nadi.
Cyclone Keni is currently moving East South East towards the Fiji group.
Close to its centre, the cyclone has damaging winds of up to 120 kilometres per hour.
The Weather Office says Cyclone Keni is gradually intensifying as it moves towards Fiji.
According to forecasters, Category 1 Cyclone Keni is projected to strengthen to a Category 2 cyclone by this evening.
Please note that damaging winds may begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes overhead or nearby.
On the projected track of Cyclone Keni, the centre of the cyclone is expected to be located about 400 kilometres West of Nadi at midnight tonight.
Destructive winds may begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes overhead or nearby.
Sea and river flooding is also expected.
Sea flooding of coastal areas and heavy swells likely.
Expect very high seas.
You can also call us on 3314766 if you need any assistance and we will refer you to the relevant authorities. You can also send us photos and videos on our facebook messenger, fijivillage.
Meanwhile, 2,060 people are in 43 evacuation centres in the Western and Northern Division.
This has been confirmed by Director National Disaster Management Anare Leweniqila.
In the Western Division there are 832 people in 12 Evacuation Centres in Lautoka, 326 people are in 8 Evacuation Centres in Ba, 532 people are in 5 Evacuation Centres in Tavua, 70 people in 7 Centres in Rakiraki, 8 people in an Evacuation Centre in Nadroga while there are 25 people in another Evacuation Centre in Nadi.
Leweniqila has also confirmed that 267 people are in 9 Evacuation Centres in Labasa.
People who need assistance are urged to call the Southern Division Command Centre on 9905529, the Northern Command Centre on 9905722, the Western Division Command Centre on 9905457 and the Eastern Division Command Centre on 9905563.
Emergency operations teams are on standby in the Western Division and personnel have been deployed to strategic locations.
Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau says he has directed emergency operations teams to work together while utilising government resources to be able to respond well.
SITUATION UPDATE
- Rakiraki Town
Rakiraki Town is flooded and flood waters have started to enter some shops in the town area.
Rakiraki Town Council says the town was closed at 2pm today.
Businessman Azmat Ali says they are preparing for the worst as heavy rain continues.
Roads closed in Rakiraki include Naqoro flat, Qalau and FSC Back Road and the road to Raiwasa.
Rakiraki Town Council has also confirmed that the town will be closed tomorrow.
- Ba Town
Ba Town is closed.
The Ba Town Council says shops around the town area are closing down and Ba Police are also monitoring movement in the town area.
- Lautoka City
Most of the shops in Lautoka have closed and people have left the City.
Lautoka City Council’s CEO Jone Nakauvadra has confirmed this saying that the municipal market has also been closed.
- Tavua
Tavua Town is still open but many businesses started closing down after 1pm today.
Tavua Police are monitoring the situation there.
ROADS UPDATE
Queens and Kings Roads are reduced to single lane in certain areas due to landslides and rock fall.
Fiji Roads Authority confirms Queens Road is reduced to a single lane in Batiri, Sigatoka due to a landslip while Kings Road is reduced to a single lane in Naqia, Tailevu due to some rock fall.
All roads in Eastern Division are open.
Colata Crossing on Colata Road in the Central Division is closed.
Some roads and crossings are still closed in the Western Division due to flooding.
Saru Back Road and Vuda Back Road in Lautoka are closed.
Bulileka Road and Coqeloa Road in Labasa are closed.
Koroboya Road, Cemetery Road and Varadoli Road in Ba are closed.
Korotale Road, Waimari Road, Korotale Valley Road and Narara Road in Rakiraki have been closed.
Yalandro Road, Lewa Road, Nabuna Road and Mataniwai Road in Tavua are closed.
- In Ba:
Yaloku Crossing on Navala Road, Yaluoku Navala Street, Balevuto Crossing on Balevuto Road, Toge Crossing on Toge Road, Waiwai Road, Marinitawa Crossing on Marinitawa Road, Tabataba Road, Koroboya Crossing on Koroboya Road, Nanunku Road and Ebuto Crossing on Ebuto Road.
- In Nadi:
Crossing No. 3 on Savalau Road, Wailoko Road, Navalawa 2nd Crossing on Nadele Road and Nasivikoso Crossing on Bukuya Road.
- In Sigatoka:
Raiwaqa Crossing on Kavanagasau Road.
- In Rakiraki:
Katudrau Crossing on Katudrau Road ,Savusavu Crossing on Dawa Lawaki Road and Burelevu Crossing on Nailuva Road.
- In Tavua:
Balata Road, Yaladro Road, Lewa Crossing on Lewa Road, Mataniwai Road, Nadelei Village Crossing, Nadelei Road, Dramasi Road, Qalela 2nd Crossing and Qalela Road.
- Lautoka
1st and 2nd Buabua Crossing on Buabua Road, Crossing No. 2 on Solovi Road, Crossing No. 1, Abaca Road and Crossing No. 2 on Vakabuli School Road, Navula Road and Crossing No. 1 on Vaivai Road.
In the Northern Division
- In Labasa:
Nasarava Crossing on Nasarava , Qelemumu Crossing on Qelemumu Road, Boubale Crossing on Boubale Road, Dreketilailai Crossing on Bulileka Road, Vuniyalayala Crossing on Vuniyalayala Road, Navakuru Crossing on Nakorotari Road, Vunivau Village Road, Coqeloa Road , Vunivutu Road and Banikea Crossing on Banikea/ Kavula Road.
- In Natua-Seaqaqa
Colo Crossing on Kawakawavesi Road, Zailav Crossing on Zailav Road, Lalakoro Crossing on Lalakoro Road, Nayarabale Crossing on Nayarable Road, Buavou Crossing on Buavou Road, Navidamu Road, Crossing No. 2 on Tabia / Korosomo Road and Dreketi Irrigation Road.
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