A Tropical Depression has formed near the Fiji Group.

Fiji Meteorological Services Director, Ravin Kumar says the rain bands associated with TD09F are likely to affect the country for the next few days.

“The heavy rain is associated with the Tropical Depression 09F which was located 120km Southwest of Ono-i-Lau at 9am.
The expectation of this system is to remain for the next couple of days since it is very slowly moving from its current location and we expect some improvement later in the week.”

Kumar says heavy rain has been affecting the Vanua Levu, Lau Group and Lomaiviti Group over the weekend and is now slowly coming down to Viti Levu.

A flood alert is now in force for all low lying areas and small streams adjacent to major rivers around Fiji.

This includes low lying areas and small streams adjacent to Wainibuka river and downstream of Nayavu station.

At 11am, the water level at Nayavu station was 5.25m which is 0.25m above alert level level and increasing.

A flood warning remains in force for low lying areas and areas adjacent to Rakiraki town and downstream of Rakiraki Station.

Level at Rakiraki station was 3.68m which is 1.18m above warning level and increasing.

An active trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain remains slow moving over Fiji.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for the whole of the Fiji group with an active trough of low pressure slow moving over Fiji.

Strong wind warning remains in force for Lau and Lomaiviti Group.

Police are asking people to clear Rakiraki town as the rising water level will make it difficult for vehicles to move in and out of town.

The next high tide is schedule for 2.15pm.