Tropical Cyclone Atu which is currently moving away from the Fiji group, is expected to develop into a hurricane within the next 6-12 hours however poses no direct threat to the group.

The Nadi Weather Office revealed that at the moment, the cyclone which was a category 1 in the morning has gathered momentum and is now category two and is expected to develop further into a hurricane.

The duty forecaster revealed that Tropical Cyclone Atu since mid day today is located at 16.8 decimal south 169.2 decimals east, which is about 990 kilometers to the West of Suva or about 880km west of Nadi.

It is a slow moving system towards the far west of the group
 
On its forecasted track, tropical Cyclone Atu is moving at 8 knots or 15 kilometres per hour and is affecting Vanuatu and then is projected to affect New Caledonia as it moves South.

While there will be no direct threat on the Fiji Group as a result of Tropical Cyclone Atu, the Weather office is calling for residents in the West and outer lying Islands to brace themselves for heavy rain today.

Meanwhile, an active trough of low pressure which is lying over the group remains slow moving over the western and southern parts of Fiji, which is bringing a lot of rain.

The Weather office said as a result, there will be periods of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms for most parts of most parts of Viti Levu which will result in flooding of low lying areas.

Rain is expected to ease over the northern part of the group.
 
Meanwhile, police will be closely monitoring the weather situation in the flood affected areas and will be out to assist those in need.

Spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said though the reports show that flood waters have started to recede in some areas, they are on standby especially as more rain is expected.

Sokomuri has called on parents and guardians to take extra care as some in the past take rainy weather as a chance to have a swim in flooded rivers and creeks.


Story by: Paradise Tabucala, Watisoni Butabua