12 Mar 2014

Fiji's west prepares for battering from Lusi

4:29 pm on 12 March 2014

A tropical cyclone gale warning is in force for Fiji's Yasawas, the Mamanuca group and parts of the western division as Lusi moves south-east away from Vanuatu.

A damaging heavy swell warning is in place for the same areas while there is a strong wind warning for the rest of Fiji.

Tropical Cyclone Lusi is just over 600 kilometres west of Nadi, with sustained winds of 110 kilometres per hour, and gusts of up to 160 at its centre.

The category two storm is likely to be upgraded to category 3 later today.

It should be about 460 kilometres west of Nadi by tomorrow morning.

Overnight Lusi damaged roads, crops, and houses as it passed over northeastern Vanuatu.

The Fiji Meteorological Office is warning of thunderstorms and flooding in coastal areas tomorrow.