TC Mal intensifies into category 3 system while hurricane force winds not expected to be over land areas

TC Mal has intensified into a category 3 system at midnight with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometres per hour and gusts of 165 kilometres per hour close to its centre and based on current analysis, at this stage hurricane force winds are not expected to be over the land areas.

Acting Director of Fiji Meteorological Services Bipen Prakash Severe tropical cyclone Mal was located 145 kilometres west-southwest of Nadi or 150 kilometres south-southwest of Viwa and 225 kilometres west-northwest of Kadavu at 3am.

It is moving in a south-southeast direction at about 23 kilometres per hour closer to the Fiji Group.

Worst of the impact of TC Mal is expected to be felt until early this morning.

At this stage there is a low possibility that it will further intensify.

Prakash also says at this stage the projected path does not indicate that it will make a landfall but the Office is monitoring the situation.

He says on its current projected path, Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, western and southern Viti Levu, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands are at greatest risk of getting gale to storm force winds.

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This can cause damage to weak structures, blow away unsecured materials, break and knock down trees, and cause disruption in communication and power supply due to broken lines.

A flash flood warning remains in force for flash flood prone areas, small stream and low lying areas of Viti Levu.

A flash flood alert remains in force for flash flood prone areas, small streams and low lying areas in Bua and Cakaudrove Province through Wailevu to Savusavu.

Possible impacts include flooding of roads, Irish crossings and bridges in low lying areas and flood plains.

A storm warning remains in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, western and northern Viti Levu and is now in force for southern Viti Levu, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.

A gale warning remains in force for Rotuma, western half of Vanua Levu including Dreketi, Bua to Savusavu, eastern Viti Levu and Lomaiviti Group.

A strong wind warning remains in force for the rest of Fiji Group.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for the whole of Fiji Group.

Read More here: https://www.fijivillage.com/news/TC-Mal-enters-Fiji-Group-likely-to-intensify-into-category-3-system-later-tonight-r5x48f/