Heavy rain warning now in place for Fiji group

A heavy rain warning is now in force for the whole of the Fiji group as Tropical Depression 03F continues to move closer.

The Nadi Weather Office says Tropical Depression O3F is slowly intensifying.

The system was located 780 kilometres North North West of Labasa at midday today.

It is moving South South West at 10 kilometres per hour.

Because it is slowly intensifying, the Nadi Weather Office now expects the Tropical Depression to intensify into a Tropical Cyclone tomorrow.

The Nadi Weather Office says when this system forms into a cyclone, it will be named Cyclone Sarai.

According to the Nadi Weather Office, even though the centre of the Tropical Depression is expected to move closer to Fiji from tomorrow, rain is already being experienced in Vanua Levu and the eastern part of Viti Levu.

Please note localised heavy rain may lead to flash flooding.

Close to its centre, the Tropical Depression is expected to have average winds of up to 45 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts of up to 65 kilometres per hour.

The Tropical Depression is expected to move South at 20 kilometres per hour and the centre should pass at about 240 kilometres North West of Viwa or 430 kilometres West-North West of Labasa at midday tomorrow.

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.