Cyclone Wilma intensifies into a hurricane

The Nadi Weather office has confirmed that Tropical Cyclone Wilma has intensified into a Hurricane and is now lying over Tonga.

The Hurricane may bring damaging gale force winds and heavy rain over Southern Lau group later today.

The wind speed around the center is estimated to be 70km per hour with momentary gusts to over 110 km per hour.

Flooding of low-lying coastal areas is expected for Southern Lau with moderate seas becoming rough to very rough.

Tropical Cyclone Forecaster, Amit Singh said at 10am today Hurricane Wilma was located near 19 decimal 5 South 173 decimal 8 West or about 530km East North East of Ono-i-Lau or 545km East South East of Lakeba.

The Hurricane is moving South West at 30km per hour.

Early tomorrow the hurricane is estimated to be around 395km south east of Lakeba at 3am tomorrow.

For the rest of the Fiji group afternoon showers is expected later today.



Story by: Ronal Deo