Another cyclone bears down on Fiji

FIJI – With rivers still raging, thousands still in temporary shelters, and streets and farmland caked in silt and mud after Cyclone Josie little more than a week ago, residents in Fiji’s sodden west are now being warned to be prepare for the arrival of yet another cyclone.

Fiji’s National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)is advising the general public to get disaster ready and stay safe as Tropical Depression 13F continues to intensify and is expected to begin affecting the country this weekend.

The tropical depression has a high potential of developing into a category one cyclone in the next 24 to 48 hours within open waters to the west of Fiji as it moves closer to the Fiji Group.

“In light of these predictions by the Fiji Meteorological Service, members of the public should prepare for heavy rain, widespread flooding, and damaging cyclonic winds,” the NDMO has warned.

Fiji Meteorological Service director Ravind Kumar has called for people living in low-lying and flood-prone areas in the Western Division to remain vigilant.

Kumar said the low pressure system to the west of Fiji could likely have an impact worse than last week’s Tropical Cyclone Josie. He said as the system moved closer to the group, people should expect strong to damaging gale force winds with frequent heavy rain.

If it becomes a cyclone, the lastest storm will most likely be named Tropical Cyclone Kala.

The death toll from Josie is officially six.

On Thursday police officers found the body of 19-year-old Ilaisa Nabou who had been missing since Sunday after swimming with friends at the height of Tropical Cyclone Josie in the flooded Sabeto River.

The search for a seven-year-old boy missing since Sunday from Naviyago Village, Lautoka, is continuing. - PNC