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The Central and Eastern parts of Fiji are more likely to feel the forces of Tropical Cyclone Tomas later tonight or tomorrow, according to the Meteorological Department.
Meteorology Director, Rajendra Prasad told FijiLive by the time the cyclone nears the Central/Eastern Division, the wind will not be very strong.
“There will be damaging gale force winds of up to 75 km/hour (35 to 40 knots).”
“Hurricane Tomas will be just brushing past these parts so there will not be much damage to infrastructure,” he said.
Prasad however highlighted there may be damages to weak temporary structures and vegetation as a result of strong winds.
He said Tomas is currently creating havoc in Cikobia for the past two hours.
“It is expected to reach peak intensity tonight or early tomorrow as usually it takes 12 to 18 hours before a hurricane gradually weakening,” Prasad said.
He indicated Tomas has maintained a very slow southward movement all day today and is expected to continue moving south at this slow pace for the next 24 hours.
“The relatively slow movement of the cyclone will mean prolonged effect of both high winds and heavy rains,” Prasad said adding as in case of Cikobia, people can expect battering of their houses and shelters by high winds for 12 hours or more.
Flooding from sea due to the hurricane associated storm surge and wave effect should be a major concern of low lying coastal areas.
