Tropical Disturbance 04F has been upgraded to a Tropical Depression and has moved closer to the country.

TD04F was located about 560 km north northwest of Nadi earlier this morning.

It is expected to gradually deepen and move southeast towards the group from later today.

Director for the Fiji Meteorology Services, Ravin Kumar says heavy rain, frequent at times is expected with flooding more than likely over the next 24 to 48 hours.

“The ground is already saturated with rain that we had in the last couple of days which will make any rain that is coming out of the system when it’s very close to Fiji will go into drains and rivers and increase the chances of flooding of creeks, rivers and major rivers."

Kumar adds that should the depression develop into a cyclone, it’s expected to be a category 1 which could see damaging winds up 153 km/hr.

Currently, a strong wind warning remains in force for all land areas of Fiji.