Tropical disturbance prompts flood warnings in Fiji

FIJI – People living in flood prone areas have been warned to prepare for the worst after a low pressure system near Fiji developed into a tropical disturbance.

Director Meteorology Ravin Kumar says some centres have recorded 80 millimetres of rain in the last 48 hours.

“The ground is now saturated so any rain will flow into the rivers and flooding is possible,” he said.

“We remind all communities to take early action. Prepare yourselves if you’re living in low lying areas.”.

A heavy rain alert is currently in force for the whole country, which is still reeling from Cyclone Winston in February with hundreds of people still living in tents.

TD04F is currently slow moving and an associated trough of low pressure affects Fiji.

The system is slowly deepening and is expected to become a Tropical Depression today, and move Southeast towards the Fiji Group.

At this stage, TD04F has a low to moderate – or 20 to 50 per cent – chance of developing into a tropical cyclone over Fiji waters. - RNZI