Tropical Cyclone Keni is now a Category 2 Cyclone

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Updated: 7:05am – A Tropical Cyclone warning remains in force for Viti Levu, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Beqa, Vatulele, Totoya, Matuku, Lomaiviti, Southern Lau Group, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands including Matanuku, Ono and Galoa.

The Nadi Weather Office says a hurricane warning is now in force for Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby small islands including Matanuku, Ono and Galoa with winds expected to reach 120 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts of 170 kilometres per hour from today.

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The Weather Office says these winds can cause structural and infrastructure damage, damage to trees, affect power lines and damage crops.

A storm warning remains in force for South West Viti Levu from Lautoka through Sigatoka to Navua, Mamanuca and Beqa with winds expected to reach 100 kilometres per hour to momentary gusts of 140 kilometres per hour from today.

They say these winds can cause damages to crops, damage trees, damage to roof, window, and door, damage homes, affect power lines and temporary sheds.

TC Keni forecast track as of 4.36am this morning (10-Apr-2018) [Photo: Fiji Met]

A gale warning remains in force for the rest of Viti Levu, Yasawa, Lomaiviti, Moala, Totoya, Matuku and Southern Lau Group with winds expected to reach 80 kilometres per hour to momentary gusts of 110 kilometres per hour from today.

Strong wind warnings remain in force for the rest of Fiji.

A heavy rain warning remains in force for the whole of Fiji.

The Weather Office says the rain bands associated with Tropical Cyclone Keni is affecting the group.

There is also a flood alert now for all low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to all major rivers in Fiji.

A flood warning is now in force for the low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to Vatukacevaceva to Rakiraki Town.

A flood alert remains for all low lying areas, small streams and areas adjacent to Tuva River, Votualevu and Mulomulo to Nadi Town, Keyasi River to Sigatoka Town, Nabukelevu and Sabata to Navua Town, Dreketilailai to Qawa River, Ba River to Toge to Ba Town and Nasivi to Tavua Town.

The centre of Tropical Cyclone Keni was located about 340 kilometres West of Nadi at 3am today.

Close to its centre the Cyclone is expected to have average winds up to 110 kilometres per hour with momentary gusts to 155 kilometres per hour.

 

Cyclone Keni is currently moving East South East towards the Fiji group at about 20 kilometres per hour.

Forecasters say Cyclone Keni is expected to track South East in the next 12 hours.

The Weather Office says Cyclone Keni is gradually intensifying as it moves towards Fiji.

The forecasters say Cyclone Keni is likely to pass close to Kadavu as a Category 2 cyclone.

Please note that damaging winds may begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes overhead or nearby.

On the projected track of Cyclone Keni, the centre of the cyclone is expected to be located about 180 kilometres West of Nadi at mid-day today and about 190 kilometres South East of Kadavu at 12am tomorrow.

Destructive winds may begin several hours before the cyclone centre passes overhead or nearby.

Sea and river flooding is also expected.

Expect very high seas.

Meanwhile, the Police National Command Centre has also confirmed that the main Kings and Queens Roads are open to all traffic.

Rakiraki town is closed to all traffic as it is affected by flood waters.

Police National Command Centre has confirmed that heavy rain is being experienced in parts of Rakiraki.

It adds that other areas that are closed off to all traffic due to flood waters include, Korotale Bridge, Mead Road in Reiwasa, Qalau Road, Naqoro Flats and Qelema Settlement.

Police have also confirmed that Tavutavu Bridge in Nadalei and Lomalagi Bridge in Vatukoula are closed to all traffic as parts of Vatukoula are experiencing heavy rain.

It adds that water levels are rising in Nadala River in Vatukoula.

In Ba, Maranitawa Bridge, Toge Bridge and Varadoli Cemetry Bridge are closed to all traffic due to flood waters

Parts of Lautoka are also experiencing heavy rain with Buabua Road, B.S Charan and Lovu Hart are closed to all traffic due to flood waters.

Police have confirmed to Fijivillage that Vuda Back Road has been partly washed away and is currently closed to all traffic.

Nadi is experiencing occasional showers and Police have confirmed that Navutu village Bridge is closed to all traffic due to rising flood waters.

Korokoro Bridge, Emuri Bridge, Nadromai Bridge, Kabisi Bridge and Navutu Village Bridge in Sigatoka are closed to all traffic due to flood waters.

In Navosa, Draiba Road and Namatewale Bridge are closed to all traffic due to rising flood waters in these areas.

Meanwhile, wind speeds have picked up in Yasawa in the last hour.

This have been confirmed by Ilicema Saucoka an employee of Gold Coast Inn in Nanuya Lailai in Yasawa.

Saucoka says that winds have slowly gained momentum however they have not experienced any rain since last night.

-Fiji Village

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