Tropical Cyclone Sarai was declared a category one system at three o'clock this morning by the Fiji Metservice with forecasters predicting it will strengthen to category two storm before it reaches Fiji tomorrow.
The Fiji Meteorology Service said Tropical Cyclone Sarai is moving south at 35 km/hr.
Cyclone Sarai was declared a category 1 system by the Fiji Metservice at 3am on 27 December 2019. Photo: Fiji Metservice
The cyclone is expected to have average winds of up to to 65 km/hr with gusts of 90 km/hr.
The Fiji Met Service said heavy rain may lead to flash flooding.
Fiji Disaster Management Office updates
Fiji Airways has cancelled some flights and the cruise operator South Sea Cruises has cancelled all day cruises within the Mamanuca and Yasawa Island Groups.
Goundar Shipping Services, Interlink Shipping Line Limited and Patterson Brothers Shipping Company Limited have also cancelled all their trips until further notice.
Cyclone Sarai forecast to strengthen to a category 2 system before reaching Fiji. Photo: Fiji Metservice
The Disaster Management Office said divisional emergency centres are now activated.
It said the general public are advised to observe the tropical cyclone alerts and warnings issued by the Fiji Meteorological Services.
MEDIA RELEASE 03#FijiNews pic.twitter.com/2doKQdan6l
— Fiji National Disaster Management Office (@FijiNDMO) December 26, 2019
Fiji's main island of Viti Levu is experiencing a power outage across the island.
Energy Fiji Limited's spokesperson Kurunesh Rao says the cause of the blackout is unknown but is suspected to be with transmission lines.
Mr Rao says the company is working to have power restored in increments across the island but could give no timeline for when and where power would be restored.
Tropical Cyclone Sarai is expected to graze Viti Levu's Western Division over coming days.
