Category 1 Cyclone Sarai strengthening as it approaches Fiji

Cyclone Sarai was declared a category one system by the Fiji Metservice at 3am on 27 December 2019.
Cyclone Sarai was declared a category one system by the Fiji Metservice at 3am on 27 December 2019. Photo credit: Fiji Metservice.

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.

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.
Cyclone Sarai forecast to strengthen to a category 2 system before reaching Fiji. Photo credit: 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.

RNZ