Hurricane Daman is moving closer to the Fiji group and is intensifying.
Nadi Weather Office Director, Rajendra Prasad predicts that the situation will worsen from this hour and people should be prepared.
He is also worried that the hurricane is moving very slowly which would be very dangerous for those who lie in the path of Daman.
A hurricane warning remains in force for Vanua Levu, Taveuni, North Eastern Viti Levu, Northern Yasawa group, Lomaiviti group, Northern Lau group and nearby smaller islands.
Daman was located near 15 decimal 6 South 177 decimal 8 East or about 125 kilometres North of Yasawa or 155 kilometres North West of Nabouwalu or 190 kilometres West North West of Labasa earlier this afternoon.
Close to its centre, Hurricane Daman is estimated to have average winds of upto 195 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts of upto 275 kilometres per hour. The hurricane is now moving East South East at about 12 kilometres per hour but is expected to curve more South East later.
If you are living in Vanua Levu, Taveuni, North Eastern Viti Levu, Northern Yasawa group, Lomaiviti group and Northern Lau group, expect winds increasing to damaging gale force from this afternoon, strengthening further to destructive storm force and then to very destructive hurricane force with average speeds of upto 195 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts of upto 275 kilometres per hour later today.
For the Central parts of Viti Levu and the Southern Yasawa group, winds are expect to increase to damaging gale force later today. Winds are expected to strengthen further to destructive storm force with average speeds of upto 120 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts to 170 kilometres per hour from tonight.
Flooding of low lying areas is expected due to continuous heavy rain.
Due to its current intensity, the hurricane can cause extensive structural damage to houses, infrastructure, large trees may fall, shrubs will be stripped. Coastal and low lying escape routes may be flooded and coastal evacuation may be necessary.
Nadi Weather Office Director, Rajendra Prasad said people should get prepared for Hurricane Daman now as Daman is expected to be worse than Cyclone Ami and Kina.
A Hurricane warning is now in force for the Yasawa group, Northern Viti Levu, Western Vanua Levu and nearby smaller islands. If you are looking outside the window and experiencing good weather, do not be mistaken as the weather condition will change rapidly from early this afternoon
Please secure your property, buy your food supplies, fill water in containers just in case there are water cuts and stock up on batteries and get a radio ready to listen to the weather reports just in case there are power cuts. The stand buy radio and batteries will assist you in finding out the exact location of the hurricane through Village and FM96.
Also ensure that your children remain indoors to avoid any tragedy.
Shopkeepers in Labasa town have started to close down their shops as weather has started to worsen.
A resident Avinesh Prasad who is currently in Labasa town said people are rushing home after doing their last minute shopping.
Labasa resident and Managing Director for Naseakula Drug Pharmacy, Roger Taulia said that the people in Labasa town are clearing out slowly to ensure that they reach home on time.
Residents of Dreketi are now getting ready as they now experience heavy rainfall and strong winds.
James Nand said that they have prepared themselves before nightfall.
Boubale Indian School outside Labasa Town has been opened up as an evacuation centre.
The school's manager, Bindresh Chand said they have opened up the school and people who do not feel secure can take shelter at the school.
Dr Vasiti Cati of Nabouwalu hospital said that although it is calm in Nabouwalu, they have prepared themselves for the worst.
Guests staying at the Barefoot Lodge in Yasawa have been shifted to the mainland as a precautionary measure.
An employee, Eunice Madden said that a total of 5 guests have been moved back to Nadi to wait for Hurricane Daman to pass.
Winds are slowly picking up along the Coral coast and people living along flood prone areas in Valley Road are strapping down their properties awaiting the unexpected.
One resident Kuar Singh said they have been preparing all day and hope for the best.
Hurricane Daman move closer to Fiji
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