Tropical Cyclone

Tropical low TD08F, between New Caledonia and Vanuatu has developed into a Category one Tropical Cyclone.

The Office of the Public Service Commission issued a circular, informing all public servants of the closure of all operations and services.

Government assets such as vehicles and computers are expected to be stored and kept safe in secured places.

The circular said all commercial banks will not operate until further notice.

All services are expected to resume once the all clear is issued by the relevant authorities.

Fiji Meteorological Services Acting Director, Terry Atalifo confirmed that the Tropical Disturbance has intensified further into a Tropical Depression.

He further said at midday today, TD03F was located about 515 kilometres west of Nadi.

TD03F is moving very slowly and is expected to move east-southeast at about 10 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Low VAN03 is reported to be moving further eastward away from the Vanuatu group.

At this stage, Tropical Low VAN03 does not pose any significant threat to the islands.

However, heavy rainfalls are expected to continue throughout the northern and parts of the ventral islands tonight.

Flash flooding are expected over low lying areas and areas close to river banks, including coastal flooding over mentioned areas.

People living near these areas are being advised to take extra precautions.

The New Zealand Meteorology Service said the low is expected to deepen further while moving close to Vanuatu this weekend.

It said the chance for the system to develop into a Tropical Cyclone on Saturday remains high.

Vanuatu can expect, gales, large waves, heavy rain and flooding to affect the northern and central parts of Vanuatu during the weekend, and the remaining areas early next week as the system tracks southeast across Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu Meteorology service has issue warnings for Tropical Cyclone Uesi, a Category 1 system.

Tropical Cyclone Uesi is about 395 km west southwest of Santo and is moving a south southwest direction at 26 km/hr.

Strong to gale force winds of 55 to 75 km/hr with gusts of 80 to 105 km/hr are expected over Northern and Central provinces within the next 12 to 24 hours.

Heavy rainfalls are expected throughout Vanuatu group today.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the disturbance was about 700km west of Rotuma and moving east.

Fiji Meteorological Service director Misa Funaki said people, especially in the maritime islands, were being warned to expect rough seas, heavy rain and strengthening winds.

"As [of Wednesday afternoon], it is still located about 1000km northwest of Nadi, it is slowly moving eastwards. Its current projections are projecting for it to head towards Vanua Levu, and we are looking at around Friday for this to occur.