SUVA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- A tropical cyclone alert is now in force for Fiji after tropical depression 06F was located over Lau waters on Thursday and expected to move south in the next few days.
Acting Director of Fiji Meteorological Services Terry Atalifo said on Thursday that reports of gale-force winds were received from Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island and nearby smaller islands including Taveuni, the third largest island and the Lau group of islands.
"We are basically alerting people that there's a cyclone heading our way and that's for the whole of Fiji islands," Atalifo said.
He added that the tropical depression is currently slow-moving and is expected to track northeast then southeast towards Fiji in the next 24 to 48 hours. It has a very high potential to intensify into a tropical cyclone in the next two days.
"It's going to approach Fiji from the west through the Yasawa group of islands and track over the main island of Viti Levu as it dives south. The weather will get worst for the whole of Fiji islands coming Saturday."
The Yasawa group of islands is an archipelago of about 20 volcanic islands in the western side of Viti Levu.
Fijians have been urged to make preparations for damaging winds, heavy rain and flooding.
On Friday, all schools in the island nation will be closed as a precautionary measure against the tropical cyclone alert in force.
Fiji's Ministry of Education also requested teachers to report to work on Friday and prepare classrooms as evacuation centers in case of any flooding.
Fiji was hit by tropical cyclone Yasa in December last year. Four people were killed and more than 1,500 homes were totally destroyed in the northern island of Vanua Levu.
Meanwhile, Vanuatu and Tonga have also issued warning of a tropical depression that is likely to develop into a cyclone later this week.
The tropical cyclone season in the South Pacific region runs between November and April every year and Fiji is predicted to experience up to three tropical cyclones during the current season. Enditem
