Situation Report 15 [Type here] NATIONAL EMERGENCY [TypeOPERATION here] CENTER [Type here] Tropical Winston SITUATION REPORT NO. 08

This Situation Report is issued by the National Emergency Operation Centre and covers the period from 2400hrs hours to 0600hours, 16/02/2016.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Eastern Division Placed on Cyclone Warning  Eastern Division has liaised with Authorities on the ground to ground all punts I the four provinces of the Division  TNK to coordinate all Evacuation centres if the need arises  Eastern Division EOC has issued instructions that schools remain closed until the system has passed the group that is Vatoa and Ono I lau.  Severe TC Winston is predicted to maintain a southeast track and then gradually turn north- eastward later tonight.  Tropical cyclone warning now in force for the Southern Lau Group. The system has weakened and is now a category 2 system.  Heavy Rain fall being experienced in Ono I Lau, Vatoa, Ogea, Fulaga and Kabara  Occasional showers experienced in the Northern Division; no damage report or flooding report as at 2400hrs.

WEATHER OUTLOOK

www.ndmo.gov.fj MINISTRY OF RURAL & MARITIME DEVELOPMENT AND NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Situation Report No. 8|2

 Storm warning remains inforce for Vatoa, Fulaga, Ogea and is cancelled for Ono I Lau  Ono I Lau, Kabara, Namuka, Komo, Moce, Oneata and Lakeba remains warned on gale wind warnings  Tropical Cyclone Winston continues to move at a steady pace towards the Southern Lau Group in a north-eastward direction at about 25km per hr  We can expect average winds of 95km/hr and momentary Gusts of 130km/hr close to the centre.  For Mariners:- Lau and Southern Koro Sea is to expect storm force winds with average speeds of 50 knots and momentary gusts to 70 knots within 70 nautical miles of the Centre. Very high seas with damaging heavy swells are to be expected.  Rest of the Fiji Islands will have moderate to fresh westerly winds, gusty at times with occasional showers, isolated thunder storms and isolated heavy rain falls SITUATIONAL OVERVIEW

DIVISIONAL UPDATES

Western Division  As at 1600hrs the Divisionhad a cloudy and geneally hot weather situation  Central Business Districts and Schools are now operating Normally  No fatalities reported  All clear as been given to the travelling public on accessiblity of roads Central Division  Overal weather situation in the Division is fine  Situation is closely been monitored by the DivEOC Situation Report No. 8|3

Eastern Division Areas in the Southern Group Predicted to be affected by  Onoilau: light showers and the TC Winston System momentary gust

 Vatoa : Light showers with momentary gust  Ogea: light showers and momentary gust  Fulaga : Heavy rain at times  Kabara: light showers Drought Area  Response  The Divisional Experiencing Controller has heavy rain recommended that schools in the Southern Part of TC Winston Lau to be closed PRIORITY 2 effective immediately  Ono I Lau had responded and classes will resume when the all clear is TC Winston given RED ZONE  The Turaga Ni PRIORITY 1 Koros have being advised to assist in ensuring all punts are grounded immediately  Health Centres will remain open to all public  Situation is closely been monitored by the DivEOC  State of Preparedness  Resources in the Southern Lau District is limited, the National Emergency Operations Centre has been requested to issue more advocacy through the Mediaon preparedness for the onslaught of TC Winston.  Evacuation centres have being identified and community leaders will be coordinating these centres once activated Northern Division  Situation has normalized and all sectors operating as normal  Division continues to monitor the weather situation in coordination with the Dist EOC.

SECTORAL UPDATES

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Fiji Roads Authority

 Central Division  Colata Cocoa Road in Korovou remains closed and the all clear will be given once water has receded. Note this road is a farm crossing that is regularly inundated. It is expected to be in this state for the next 5 days.  Northern Division  Navakuru Road is opened to the Wairiki/Vunikoro Crossing for all traffic; temporary repair is complete; however a permanent repair works needs to be designed and built.  Eastern Division  All roads are open in the Division  Western Division  Waimari Road in Rakiraki remains closed to all traffic and commuters since the approaches have washed out; the road will remain closed until the water has receded and the approaches are repaired.

WAY FORWARD

 Continue to monitor the cyclone system.  Continue to Issue Public Advisories  Continued coordination with DivEOC

GENERAL CORDINATION

 DivEOC Eastern have been placed on Cyclone warning within their areas of operation.  Other DivEOC have being placed on alert for TC Winston and the system that she is developing into.

CONCLUSION  Though the rest of Fiji will be having fresh Easterly winds, it is envisioned that our water woes may be eased to some extend as a by-product of the TC Winston system in the Western and probably the Northern Division, whilst the Eastern Division would be gaining majority benefits from the TC Winston system.

 The NEOC will continue to liaise closely with the DivEOC for the effective and efficient conduct of efforts whilst Public Advisories will continue to be issued as and when the need arises.

NTing ------

[Nicholas Ting] Team leader for Director NDMO/NAT DISCOORD Situation Report No. 8|5