Natural Disaster

TC Mona shifts track closer to Northern Division

January 6, 2019 9:41 am

[Source: Fiji Meteorological Service]

The Fiji Meteorological Services says category one Tropical Cyclone Mona has shifted it track closer to the Northern Division.

Senior Forecaster, Amit Singh says the system on its predicted path is now expected to pass through Labasa.

“There is a bit of a shift move towards Labasa and Udu Point. The system will pass over Taveuni, track towards Lomaiviti Group and passing east of Kadavu.”

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Singh says the expected time for TC Mona to make landfall over Vanua Levu is from this afternoon into the evening.

However, the weather office says the timing could differ and come a bit earlier or later, from what is forecast.

The system was located at about 240km north-northwest of Labasa and about 260km north-northeast of Yasawa-i-Rara at 1am today.

TC Mona is moving east-southeast at about 25 km/hr, which is still slow moving.

“Looking at the speed of 20-25km/hr is still slow but if you compare it with the last 24 hours it has to some extend picked up speed but is still a slow moving system.”

Singh says Viti Levu has been spared, as TC Mona will not be making landfall, however, heavy rainfall is expected.

“Now the chance is very low for TC Mona to come over Viti Levu as the track has shifted. It is still going over Vanua Levu but closer to northeast. Until yesterday the predicted forecasts showed the system moving the western part of Vanua Levu but now it is over the eastern part of Vanua Levu. The eastern half of Viti Levu that’s from Rakiraki, Suva, Navua and Sigatoka can expect heavy rain. However, areas like Nadi and Lautoka – they will not experience significant amount of rain as other divisions.”

Singh adds the western division still needs to brace itself for possible gale force winds.

A tropical cyclone warning is over the Northern Division, Labasa, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands.

Singh says this warning will be extended to the Lomaiviti Group and nearby smaller islands while a TC alert 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 and downstream of Naqali station.