TC Ella now located 590 kilometres East North East of Vanuabalavu

Category 1 Tropical Cyclone Ella is still located far East North East of Vanuabalavu and continues to move towards Fiji.

Nadi Weather Office Forecaster Stephen Meke says the centre of the cyclone is now 590 kilometres East North East of Vanuabalavu.

Ella is moving at about 10 kilometres per hour.

Based on the latest analysis after the assessment of the models by the Weather Office, Tropical Cyclone Ella will affect Fiji from tomorrow and Friday.

A strong wind warning remains in force for all Fiji waters.

Meke says based on their assessment, the people of the country need to prepare for the possibility of a category 2 cyclone to come towards Fiji by late tomorrow or Friday.

He says Cyclone Ella is expected to come with a lot of heavy rain and destructive winds.

If it does happen then it is expected to affect many parts of the country.

People should expect heavy rain and flash flooding in the low lying areas.

River flooding is also expected.

Meke says people should prepare for the worst and it would be good news if Cyclone Ella changes its track.

People in Muamua, Vanuabalavu preparing for TC Ella (09/05/17). [Photo: Atelaite Cama]

However he says the models are still suggesting that it will intensify and head towards the Fiji group.

Latest Tropical Cyclone Threat Track Map-1:30PM Wednesday 10 May 2017. [Image: met.gov.fj]

The Weather Office is continuing to monitor Cyclone Ella.

17 villages in and around Vanuabalavu have begun preparations since yesterday afternoon in light of the current path of Category 1 Tropical Cyclone Ella.

Speaking to Fijivillage from Vanuabalavu, Atelaite Cama has confirmed that the villagers have begun to clear compounds of loose material, taken down make shift shelters and made their way to their respective village halls and churches that also serve as evacuation centres.

She says that villagers have also installed window shutters in the villages as well as at Lomolomo Hospital.

Cama adds that a generator is also on standby to assist the hospital if the need arises.

Stay with us for developments on whether it will affect us directly as we track Cyclone Ella.

NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured this image of Tropical Cyclone Ella northeast of Fiji.