The National Disaster Management Office is advising people to stay alert this festive season and focus on disaster preparedness as a Tropical Cyclone is anticipated to develop and affect Fiji after Christmas.
It says the Divisional Emergency Operation Centres around the country are prepared for the 2019/2020 Cyclone Season and will continue to coordinate all relief and response operations on the ground with the National Emergency Operation Centre.
NDMO Director, Vasiti Soko says they are also working closely with the first responders to strengthen their coordination to prepare for any possible events.
NDMO Director, Vasiti Soko
She is urging everyone to make a Disaster Plan including a secure location or shelter for evacuation, conduct drills with family members, school or villages so that they are aware of their response plan.
Soko says involve all family members including children, people living with disabilities in the Disaster Plan, get your emergency contacts, an emergency kit, a battery-powered radio, a charged mobile phone, top-up credit.
Fiji Meteorological Service says a broad low-pressure area is located to the far north of Fiji and a significant low-pressure system is expected to develop over this area and move towards the country by Friday.
They say the low-pressure system has a high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.
Fiji Meteorological Service says the weather forecasting models are in agreement with the low-pressure system developing into a tropical cyclone but has some differences on the forecast track.
It says while one weather model tracks it over Vanua Levu the others are tracking it just to the west of Viti Levu.
The Fiji Meteorological Service says the most possible track will be determined in the next 72 hours as the low moves closer to the group.
They say the weather for Christmas should be fine but it is expected to deteriorate as we head towards the weekend.
The forecasters say that Rotuma could expect heavy rain and strong winds as early as Boxing Day adding as the system moves closer to Fiji, we should expect damaging to destructive force winds and heavy rain which may lead to flooding.
Storm surges can also be expected along the coast.
For mariners, strong winds with rough seas could be expected from Wednesday and anticipated to further deteriorate in the weekend as the system closes in.
Members of the public are advised to remain alert and vigilant.
The forecasters say the situation is closely monitored and any alert and warning will be issued as and when significant changes are anticipated.
