5/04/2016 10:20pm
> From the WeatherWatch archives
Drownings and water contamination are major concerns for areas affected by the latest severe flooding in Fiji.
A 70-year-old man has died and a 19-year-old girl is still missing on the Sabeto River near Nadi.
Tropical weather systems have caused more heavy rain and strong winds in the Central, Western and Northern Divisions overnight.
Red Cross aid worker Corinne Ambler said the floodwater could be very dangerous even if it looks safe.
She said people are being urged not to swim or cross waters which could be contaminated or flowing faster than they think.
Ambler said the Red Cross won’t reach some areas until Friday or Saturday.
Fiji is bracing for its second tropical cyclone this year with the government today issuing a fresh storm alert.
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TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR MAMANUCA GROUP, VITI LEVU, KADAVUAND NEARBY SMALLER…
Posted by Fijian Government on Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Warnings have gone out for the central Lau and Lomaiviti island groups to prepare for damaging winds and flooding as Tropical Cyclone Zena tracks towards to the disaster-ravaged Pacific island nation.
#CycloneZena located between Vanuatu and Fiji moving towards Fiji. Latest info at https://t.co/8VoecdSmLm pic.twitter.com/hvxelI008Z
— BOM Australia (@BOM_au) April 5, 2016
The latest alert says the Category 1 cyclone was 900km to the north west of Nadi earlier today, intensifying as it approached.
All schools closed today as Fiji braces for Tropical Cyclone Zena https://t.co/W7AmvzQY4h pic.twitter.com/rHWkgEGb5a
— ONE News (@ONENewsNZ) April 5, 2016
The cyclone was expected to sit 150km south-southeast of Nadi at 3am tomorrow.
People were being warned that damaging winds would begin several hours before the centre passed overhead or nearby.
It also said to be prepared for heavy rain and flooding, especially from storm surges along the coastline.
At the moment, average wind speeds at Zena’s centre was 85km/h with gusts of 120km/h.
A gale warning was in force for Viti Levu, Kadavu and Mamanuca group with strong winds expected across the rest of Fiji.
The country is still recovering from Cyclone Winston, a Category 5 storm that left a trail of destruction in northern and western parts of Fiji in February.
– NZME/BoM/Weatherzone/NewstalkZB
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