Rachael Nath 
The Navua bridge
Tropical Cyclone Mona has weakened and downgraded to a Category One system at mid-day today.
Fiji Meteorological Services Senior Forecaster, Amit Singh says after making a loop TC Mona is still heading towards the Fiji group.
Singh says the system is slowing down and moving east south-east at about 10km/hr.
Galoa back road in Navua
The cyclone is currently moving eastwards and should track southeast towards Fiji in the next 9 to 12 hours.
However, the weather office says TC Mona remains a threat as it brings damaging winds.
“TC Mona still has a gale force wind around the center despite downgrading to a category one. Gale winds are likely to begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes overhead.”
Galoa back road in Navua
The weather office says Cyclone Mona was located at about 380km north north-east of Yasawa-I-Rara or about 460km Northwest of Labasa at 1pm today.
Daria Crossing on Nabouwalu Road in the Northern Division is closed due to flooding.
Please stay safe. pic.twitter.com/six5yxTZgf
— Fiji Roads Authority (@FijiRoads) January 5, 2019
On its predicted path, TC Mona is expected to make landfall over the Western part of Vanua Levu close to Nabouwalu.
Sawani Crossing on Nabouwalu Road in the Northern Division is flooded and impassable pic.twitter.com/GmdHJMDdlL
— Fiji Roads Authority (@FijiRoads) January 5, 2019
The system will be moving south-southeast very close to the Lomaiviti Group towards the east of Suva and tracking east of Kadavu.
Singh says they still predict that TC Mona will make landfall tomorrow.
“We expect the center to be close to Vanua Levu by tomorrow afternoon into the evening. It is predicted to be very close to Vanua Levu and crossing the North sometime in the evening, going close to Ovalau, east of Viti Levu and heading south south-west of Kadavu.”
The weather office says the system is expected to move out of Fiji in a southward direction on Monday.
Meanwhile, a tropical cyclone alert remains in force for the rest of Fiji.
A strong wind warning remains in force for all land areas and waters as well.
A heavy rain warning remains in force for the whole of Fiji group.
A flood warning remains in force for all low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to major rivers of Fiji.
Galoa back road in Navua
The warning is also extended to low lying areas and areas adjacent to Sabata station and downstream of Navua town, bridge and river as well as Naqali station.
1st crossing on Beqa Road off Galoa.
Please do not cross flooded roads or crossings. Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/3NJAO0oD1v
— Fiji Roads Authority (@FijiRoads) January 5, 2019
A flood alert remains in force for low lying areas and areas adjacent to Labasa Civic station and downstream of Labasa town.
All communities living in low coastal, flood prone and low lying areas are reminded to remain alert and take all necessary precautions.
