Strong winds and rough seas are currently being experienced in the Mamanuca Islands as Tropical Cyclone Mal has intensified to into a category 3 system.

Tropica Island Resort Operations Manager Trudi Peet has told fijivillage News that the situation on the island has really intensified compared to late last night.

Peet says there has not been a lot of rain but the wind has been really strong and is causing tree branches to fall.

She says a lot of debris has also washed ashore due to rough seas.

Peet adds all staff and guests are locked up in their respective quarters and rooms as they await clearance from their Chief Engineer.

Peet says they have gone into a cyclone lockdown and all their staff and guests have been asked to follow lockdown procedures.

She says they have evacuated as many guests as they can to the mainland and 10 rooms are currently occupied.

Category 3 Tropical Cyclone Mal has passed Nadi and is now moving closer to Kadavu however, it is still not expected to make landfall.

Read More here: https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Cat-3-TC-Mal-moves-closer-to-Kadavu-and-could-be-downgraded-later-this-morning-f854rx/