A gale warning is now in force for Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, Kadavu, Lomaiviti Group and nearby smaller islands.
A strong wind warning is in force for the Lau Group and Rotuma.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for the rest of the Fiji Group.
A flash flood warning is also now in force for low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to major rivers in the Central Division.
People are now being urged to take necessary precautions as Tropical Cyclone, Sarai continues to move closer to the land areas of Fiji.
Cyclone Sarai which is a category 1 system is expected to pass to the west of Yasawa and Mamanuca Group later today.
Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 17 issued 9:51am Friday 27 December 2019
Cyclone Sarai’s centre was located about 200km northwest of Viwa or about 300km northwest of Nadi at 7am today.
Director of Meteorology, Misaeli Funaki says TC Sarai is expected to be 170km west northwest of Nadi and 110km west of Viwa at 7 o clock tonight.
TC Sarai is moving south-southwest at 22km per hour.
Close to its centre, Sarai has average winds of up to 65km per hour with momentary gusts up to 90km per hour.
Funaki says people in the Western Division can expect gale-force winds of around 70km per hour and momentary gusts up to 90km per hour from this afternoon going into tonight.
He says people in the Central Division can also expect gale-force winds from tonight.
Funaki says heavy rain will continue going into the afternoon and the night and there is a major concern of possible flooding.
The Nadi Weather Office says based on its projected track, Tropical Cyclone Sarai is expected to intensify into a Category 2 system and pass just southwest of Nadi at 1 o’clock tomorrow morning and head for Kadavu later tomorrow.
A Category 1 Cyclone can cause damage to crops and trees and blow over unsecured objects.
Those living in Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Yasawa and Mamanuca group and nearby smaller islands should expect an increase in damaging gale force winds with an average speed of 65 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts of 90 kilometres per hour.
People can expect damaging gale force winds several hours before the centre of the system passes overhead or nearby.
Please also note that coastal sea flooding should be expected during high tide if the centre of the system passes nearby.
Stay with us for the latest on TC Sarai. You can contact us on 3314766/9923352/7734766 if you need any help and we will direct your call to relevant authorities. You can also contact us and send videos and photos from your area on our Facebook page.
Nanuya Island Resort evacuates guests
By Semi Turaga
More than 20 guests have been evacuated from Nanuya Island Resort in Yasawa as Tropical Cyclone Sarai continues to move closer.
28 guests are still on Nanuya Island Resort and the sister resort, Boat House Nanuya.
This has been confirmed by General Manager Akuila Kula.
Kula says because there are islands that surround the resort, they are sheltered but there has been heavy rain.
Kula says a couple of guests in Homestays in nearby villages moved to their resort this morning.
Resort in Yasawa evacuates guests
By Semi Turaga
About 20 guests on Wayalailai Resort situated at the southern tip of the Yasawa Islands have been evacuated as Category 1 Tropical Cyclone Sarai starts to affect the islands.
Assistant Resort Manager Losalini Ratugolea says they are on high alert and have been taking necessary precautions.
She also says they are experiencing very strong winds.
Road Closures
By Pratika Mala
Fiji Roads Authority’s contractor is still working on clearing the fallen trees on Edinburgh Drive in Suva.
FRA confirms Reki Street in Raiwai is closed due to fallen power lines, while Wailoku Road and Namara and Ratu Kadavulevu Roads in Tailevu are restricted to single lane due to fallen trees.
In Korovou, Naivoco Road and Naboro Cocoa Road are closed due to flooding while Lodoni Road is restricted to single lane due to fallen trees.
FRA is advising people to be aware of the further risk of landslides due to saturated ground conditions in hillside terrain as well as the possibility of rock falls and debris on the roadway due to heavy rain.
Qelemumu Crossing and Siberia Road in Labasa are closed due to flooding.
FRA also confirms that Navara Crossing in Rakiraki is closed due to flooding.
The Navakuru Crossing in Wairiki District in Cakaudrove is also closed due to flooding.
FRA also confirms that due to a power outage in the Central Division, traffic signals are not working. Temporary traffic management has been put in place and motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
Bus services
By Shanil Prasad
Bus services are still being provided around the country but the Fiji Bus Operators Association says trips have been minimised.
Association President Nisar Ali Shah says they are monitoring the situation and will make a decision on whether to continue with bus services around midday.
He says if the weather condition persists, then services will be cancelled to prevent the movement of people.
Stay with us for updates.
Power supply situation
By Pratika Mala
A number of areas in Viti Levu are currently without power supply.
Raiwai including the whole of Vatuwaqa, Rewa Street, Kings Highway from Centrepoint, Caubati, Tacirua, Cunningham, Nakasi, Naulu, Nausori Rural, Naboro Feeder Road and Lami are without power supply.
In the Western Division, the whole of Votualevu in Nadi, Nadi Town, Nadi Back Road and Namaka are currently without power supply.
In Lautoka, the affected areas include Navutu, Drasa Avenue, Lautoka Hospital area, Natabua and part of Lautoka Town.
In Ba - Rarawai, Balevuto, Koronubu, Vuda and the Transmitter site in Sigatoka are without power.
Energy Fiji Limited says these unplanned power outages are due to technical faults and their team is currently working on restoring power supply.
People are advised to treat any power line as live.
All queries can be directed to EFL on 132333 or 5333.
For emergencies people can contact 913.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
