2 Apr 2012

Tropical cyclone Daphne to hit Fiji tonight

3:31 pm on 2 April 2012

Tropical cyclone Daphne is expected to hit Fiji tonight while the country is already battling severe flooding.

Four people have died, another three are missing and thousands have been forced into evacuation centres following heavy rain which started Thursday night.

The Metservice says the eye of the tropical cyclone will pass 500 kilometres south west of Fiji tonight.

The Director of the Fiji Metservice, Alipate Waqaicelua, says the associated rain bands will bring strong winds to the south western half of the country.

"We have been repeating these warning for the general public to heed the warnings and refrain from venturing out to areas which will endanger their lives and others who venture out to rescue them, should the need arise."

Alipate Waqaicelua says the cyclone may cause even more flooding and landslides.