Cyclone Winston in the South Pacific

All of Fiji urged to prepare for Tropical Cyclone Winston

Fiji's National Disaster Management Office is urging people to secure their homes, properties, businesses or their livestock as tropical cyclone Winston approaches the country.

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• Fiji's National Disaster Management Office is urging peopleto secure their homes, properties, businesses or their livestock as tropical cyclone Winston approaches the country.

Tracking map for Tropical cyclone Winston

Photo: Fiji Meteorological Service

The Department of Information said people must closely monitor weather reports in response to the movement of tropical cyclone Winston.

Latest weather reports indicate that Winston is moving close to the Fiji Group and is expected to affect parts of the central division including Kadavu and Suva.

Both the Nadi Weather Office and disaster officials are closely tracking the movement of the cyclone.

While the cyclone is a Category 4, the momentum of its movement has the potential to later develop into a Category 5.

The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Develop and National Disaster Management permanent secretary Meleti Bainimarama said the cyclone will bring about destructive winds and flash flooding in parts of the central division.

He said Fijians living in flood prone areas should also prepare for evacuation in case of flooding or damage to properties.

Mr Bainimarama has also called on parents and guardians to monitor the movement of their children and to always monitor their whereabouts.

Tongan authorities brace for Winston.

Tonga's emergency services only just cleared debris from Cyclone Winston's first trip through the northern islands and now they are preparing for worse.

Category four Winston has turned back towards Tonga after passing through the northern islands earlier this week.

Early this morning, the storm was currently around 330 kilometres north-northwest of Niue and 220 kilometres east-southest of Tonga's Niuatoputapu, with winds gusting up to 230 kilometres an hour.

'Atunaisa Taumoepeau from the Tongan Police said emergency services have shifted from response to preparation mode.

"Police and fire services as well as the defence in the northern islands of Vava'u completed clearing the first part of the visting from Hurricane Winston earlier this week. What we are focused on now is to prepare for a stronger hurricane."

Acting Superintendent Taumoepeau said there was communication problems during past cyclones and HF and VHF radio links with Vava'u was set up.

At least 63 families in Vava'u and 35 families in Ha'apai are already in shelters according to Tonga police.

Meanwhile, the tropical gale warning previously in force for Niue is now cancelled.

Power lines down in Vava'u after Winston hit the first time, earlier this week.