The full effects of Severe Tropical Cyclone Keni which is a category 3 cyclone, are currently being felt in South West Viti Levu from Lautoka to Navua.
We are getting reports of destructive winds in Sigatoka, Nadi, Ba, Tavua and Lautoka. There are also reports of heavy flooding in some of these areas.
According to the Nadi Weather Office, the centre of Cyclone Keni is now 105 kilometres South West of Nadi.
With that position, the front end of Cyclone Keni which has destructive winds and a lot of rain is currently affecting areas from Lautoka, Nadi, Sigatoka through to the Coral Coast and Navua.
After latest assessments, it has also been confirmed that the centre of Cyclone Keni will now make landfall in Vatulele and Kadavu going into this afternoon.
Lautoka, Nadi, Sigatoka through to the Coral Coast and Navua are experiencing winds of 135 kilometres per hour gusting to 185 kilometres per hour as they will feel the full effects of the front end of the cyclone.
This means that people should expect destructive winds in these areas, very heavy swells, sea and river flooding.
The effects of a category 3 cyclone are extensive structural damage to houses, infrastructure, power poles and lines, large trees are expected to fall and low lying escape routes will be cut off.
Other areas that will get destructive winds are Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Moala, Totoya, Matuku and Ono-i-Lau.
Damaging winds that can be gusting to 120 kilometres per hour can be felt for the rest of Viti Levu including Suva, Nausori, Tailevu and Rakiraki. These winds can damage temporary structures and crops. Winds will pick up from around 4pm around the Suva and Nausori area.
Strong winds and heavy rain is forecast for Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and nearby smaller islands and Northern Lau Group.
Please take into account that a tropical cyclone warning remains in force for the whole of Fiji.
Cyclone Keni continues to move East South East towards Fiji at 36 kilometres per hour.
Its movement has increased and the whole system is moving quicker.
Expect destructive winds close to the centre of the cyclone.
The Weather Office says the rain bands associated with Tropical Cyclone Keni is already affecting the group.
There is also a flood alert now for all low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to all major rivers in Fiji.
A flood warning remains in force for the low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to downstream of Vatukacevaceva to Rakiraki Town, Qawa at Dreketilailai to Labasa Town, Semo village to downstream of Tuva River and low lying areas and Toge to Ba Town.
A flood alert remains in force for the low lying areas, small stream and areas adjacent to all major river of Fiji and for low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to downstream of Nabukelevu and Sabata to Navua Town, Keyasi to Sigatoka Town, Votualevu and Mulomulo to Nadi Town and Nasivi to Tavua Town.
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 270 kilometres South East of Kadavu in the next 12 hours.
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.
Stay safe and stay with us for the latest weather updates.
SITUATION REPORT
There is now flooding in parts of Nadi and strong winds continue to affect the area.
Some people are now trying to move to evacuation centres as river levels in Nadi continue to rise.
Ashwini Lata and her mother who live along Togo Road in Nadi were able to escape just in time before they were stranded by flood waters.
Nawaka resident, Sachin Govind says Nawaka River has burst its banks and they are evacuating people.
Nadi Police are now restricting movement in Nadi Town.
Iliesa Lagivalu says the river near Dratabu village is about to burst it’s banks as flood waters continue to rise.
Lagivaslu adds that they are experiencing strong winds and heavy rain.
Salvin Singh of Maro, Sigatoka has confirmed that they are experiencing continuous heavy rain.
He says the wind is continuously gaining strength, however, Sigatoka Town is not flooded.
Waya District representative Eparama Laba confirmed that four evacuation centers have been activated at Waya District as they are starting to experience destructive winds and heavy swells.
Laba says about 200 villages are in the district as everyone is safe.
Flood waters have entered five houses in Varavu, Ba.
This was confirmed by a resident Nakul Deo who says that flood waters are rising in the Varuvu area.
Yad Ram, who is a resident of Nacaci Ba has confirmed that his family has moved to a neighbours place as flood waters are rising in their area which may reach their house.
Ram says they are currently experiencing the effects of the current weather situation.
Active weather in the Southern Hemisphere. Note a tropical cyclone, #CycloneKeni near Fiji and a mid-latitude cyclone bringing active weather to New Zealand. ~Chris
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) April 9, 2018
PS TCKeni is NOT expected to impact NZ pic.twitter.com/vv1lHYfnmL
Meanwhile, villagers of Navaga, Ba are currently experiencing strong winds and heavy rain. Flood waters are also rising in some areas in Ba.
Kalaveti Naisoro says that they are putting up shutters and have evacuated families from flood-prone areas to their village hall.
Naisoro says that the village road is also flooded and access has been cut off.
He says floodwaters have entered one house in the village.
Makul Deo of Varavu Ba says they are currently experiencing strong wind and heavy rain from last night till now.
Kings Road is closed at Lovu, Lautoka and there is significant surface flooding in parts of Queens Road and Kings Road.
Fiji Roads Authority says only essential travel should take place on the roads as strong currents are likely and will carry away vehicles in some circumstances.
FRA says they expect many more roads to close throughout today.
Some of these roads that have been closed include Vuda Back Road, Abaca Road, Saru Back Road, Lololo Road and Navula Road in Lautoka, Wailoko Road in Nadi, Koroboya Road, Cemetery Road and Varadoli Road in Ba, Raiwaqa Crossing on Kavanagasau Road, Uluisula Crossing on Uluisila Road and Ciri Road in Sigatoka.
Other roads that are closed includes Balata Road, Yaladro Road and Nabuna Road in Tavua, Burelevu Crossing on Nailuva Road, FSC Korotale Road and Qalau Flat road in Rakiraki.
Residents in the North are asked not to attempt to cross the Korotari Suspension Bridge.
Police say they have cordoned off the area and will restrict movement for everyone's safety.
ACP Maretino Qiolevu says as wind and rain picks up in the Western Division police continue to chase children and youth from wandering around on the streets.
Qiolevu says people must stay indoors and not create unnecessary issues for authorities who are trying to ensure everyone's safety.
The Fiji Electricity Authority has confirmed Western Division will be supplied with electricity on a rotational basis and as Tropical Cyclone Keni starts to impact the FEA network, it is anticipated that there will be more power disruptions in other areas.
FEA Chief Executive Officer, Hasmukh Patel says that they have lost the Nadarivatu to Vuda 132kV main transmission line that transports power supply from the Hydro Power Stations in Monasavu and Nadarivatu to the Western Division.
Patel says that this was a result of the rainfall and lightning activity in the Western Division.
He says power supply to the affected areas in the Western Division is being supplied from the FEA diesel sets in Rakiraki, Vuda, Qeleloa, Nadi and Sigatoka, which is insufficient to meet the demand residents in the Western Division.
Patel sys power supply in the Central Division of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau is not affected by the direct impact of Cyclone Keni.
He says that inspections and repairs to their network will commence after the Cyclone has passed and an 'all clear' is received from the Fiji Meteorological Services.
For flood prone areas, residents can call FEA on 913 on rising water levels that compromises power line clearance.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services says all its facilities will remain open to handle emergency cases for the next 24-48 hours unless otherwise indicated.
All major hospitals will remain open to care for its critically ill patients and hospital visitation will be restricted to close family members only.
For more information, please contact the following EOCs:
Ministry of Health & Medical Services National EOC – 35442282. Lautoka Hospital EOC – 66603993. Northern Health EOC – 88125224.
Colonial War Memorial Hospital EOC - 3313444
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