16 Jan 2020

Fiji in path of cyclone expected to form overnight

10:44 pm on 16 January 2020
Tropical Depression TD04F, which is forecast to become a cyclone by Friday 17 January, was about 330km west of Rotuma in Fiji at 6pm on Thursday 16 January.

Tropical Depression TD04F, which is forecast to become a cyclone by Friday 17 January, was about 330km west of Rotuma in Fiji at 6pm on Thursday 16 January. Photo: Fiji Meteorological Service

A tropical depression continues to strengthen as it moves towards Fiji, and is forecast to intensify into a cyclone tomorrow morning.

As of 6pm on Thursday, the system was about 330km west of Rotuma and about 760km northwest of Labasa.

The system is forecast to swerve south of Rotuma tonight, before tracking close to a major town, Labasa, tomorrow as a category one cyclone.

The Fiji Meteorological Service said it was then likely to move close to Tonga's main islands as a category two over the weekend.

Heavy wind and rain warnings are now in force for much of Fiji, with coastal flooding also forecast for Rotuma.

The storm is currently generating winds of up to 50km/hr with gusts reaching 80km/hr.

The special weather bulletins on the tropical depression issued by the Fiji Meteorological Service can be accessed here.

Response teams receiving an update on the tropical depression at Fiji's National Disaster Management Office.

Response teams receiving an update on the tropical depression at Fiji's National Disaster Management Office. Photo: Twitter / Fiji government