Cyclone Zena

Zena comes after several days of intense rain in the west of Fiji that has already left several thousand in shelters and claimed at least one life.

Yesterday, it was upgraded from a category 1 to a category 3 storm, with winds gusting up to 170km/h at its centre.

The storm has intensified over the morning from a category 1 storm to a category 3 storm, with winds of 120km/h close to its centre, gusting to 130km/h.

The west of Fiji has been deluged with rain since Sunday and now strong winds are forecast.

RNZ lnternational's Sally Round is in the Fijian city of Lautoka.

As of 6am Cyclone Zena was located approximately 740km west of Nadi.

Fiji Metservice said the category 2 cyclone was a fast-moving system and was intensifying and gale force winds were expected to reach Fiji by this afternoon or evening.