9:05 am today

Cyclone Rae moves away from Fiji; heavy rain warning remains in place

9:05 am today
Fiji police officers were deployed to assist members of the community in the Northern Division as Tropical Cyclone Rae moved closer towards the Fiji group on Monday. 24 February 2025

Fiji police officers were deployed to assist members of the community in the Northern Division as Tropical Cyclone Rae moved closer towards the Fiji group on Monday. 24 February 2025 Photo: Fiji Police Force

The Fiji MetService says Tropical Cyclone Rae is expected to weaken as it tracks south-southeast away from the country's Southern Lau Group.

Multiple warnings are still in place, including a heavy rain warning for the whole of Fiji.

Police officers have been assisting families in moving to evacuation centres in affected areas.

Tropical Cyclone Rae track map as at 9am February.

Tropical Cyclone Rae track map as at 9am February. Photo: Fiji Meteorological Service

Schools in the Northern Division, Lau Group, and Lomaiviti, except for Rotuma Island, remain closed due to ongoing disruptions to water and essential services, the Fiji government said.

"Schools in the Western and Central Divisions will remain open, and parents are encouraged to use their discretion when deciding whether to send their children to school."

Meanwhile, tropical cyclone warnings are also in place for much of Tonga, with heavy rain and strong to damaging gale-force winds forecast for most of the Kingdom.