12 Feb 2018

Fiji's Lau Group told to prepare for Gita

4:45 pm on 12 February 2018

Disaster authorities in Fiji are urging people in the Lau group of islands to prepare for cyclone Gita's arrival there on Tuesday evening.

Gita is moving westwards towards Tonga and forecast to remain on a westerly track as a Category 5 cyclone as it passes the southern Fiji islands.

The Fiji Met Service is forecasting damaging gale force winds over the southern Lau Group, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands from Tuesday morning.

The director of Fiji's National Disaster Management Office, Anare Leweniqila, said given Fiji's proximity to Tonga, people in Lau were being told to prepare for the worst.

"Like putting their boats on land, tying up their houses, taking down the weaker shelters, sheds that they normally have around the house.

"And also to look at their designated evacuation centres - that it is ready - and if there is a need to evacuate, that place is where they will all be evacuated to."

Tropical cyclone forecast track map issued 0129 UTC Monday 12 February 2018

Tropical cyclone forecast track map issued 0129 UTC Monday 12 February 2018 Photo: RSMC Nadi