FIJI METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE GOVERNMENT OF REPUBLIC OF

MEDIA RELEASE No. 9

2pm, Monday, 01 February, 2021

TC ANA DOWNGRADED TO CATEGORY 2 WHILE TD07F WEAKENS FURTHER INTO A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM Damaging Winds, Heavy Rain And Flooding Remains A Threat

Tropical Cyclone(TC) Ana has weakened and downgraded to a category 2 system at midday today while located about 240km south-southwest of Matuku and about 240km west-southwest of Ono- i-Lau. TC Ana is moving south-southeast at about 13km/hr. The associated gale force winds up to 65km/hr and rain is expected to continue affecting Ono-i-Lau, Vatoa and Matuku in the next 12 to 24 hours.

Meanwhile, tropical cyclone(TC) Bina was downgraded to a tropical depression 07F(TD07F) at 6am today and further weakened into a low pressure system at 9am while remaining to the far northwest of the Fiji Group. The associated convergence zone is expected to bring gale force winds up to 65km/hr gusting to 90km/hr and heavy rain over , and nearby smaller islands, Lomaiviti and Lau Group.

Damaging gale force winds can cause damages to weak structures and houses of very light materials over these areas. It can also cause damage to crops and vegetation.

Strong west to northwest winds with average speeds of 65km/hr and momentary gusts of up to 80km/hr with heavy rain is expected to continue affecting the rest of the Fiji Group.

Flooding of roads, villages, towns and communities near streams, rivers and low lying areas remains a threat to the Fiji Group.

Moderate to heavy swells and breaking waves reaching the coastal areas that can cause coastal inundation and sea flooding especially during high tide. Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

The current situation is closely monitored. Members of the public are advised to remain updated with the latest weather information and adhere to authorities on the ground.

For more details and the latest on weather, please contact the National Weather Forecasting Centre on 6736006, 9905376 or visit the Fiji Meteorological Service’s website, www.met.gov.fj.You can also visit the Fiji Meteorological Service official Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram for latest updates.

No. Warning Area 1. Tropical Cyclone Warning Remains force for Fiji 2. Gale Warning Remains in force for the eastern half of , the western half of Vanua Levu, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Beqa, Lomaiviti and Moala Group, Vatoa and Ono-i-Lau.

3. Strong Wind Warning Remains in force for the whole of Fiji Group

4. Gale Warning Remains in force for Kadavu and Vatu-i-Ra passage, Koro Sea, southern Lau Waters and northern Vanua Levu Waters 5. Strong Wind Warning Remains in force for the rest of Fiji Waters 6. Strong Wind Warning Remains in force for land areas and waters of Rotuma 6. Heavy Rain Warning Remains in force for the whole of Fiji Group 8. Flood Warning Remains in force for all low lying areas, areas adjacent to and downstream of all rivers of Vanua Levu, , Tavua, Rakiraki, Korovou, Waidina, Wainibuka, Wainimala, Wainamu, Rewa And Navua Rivers in Viti Levu. 9. Flash Flood Warning Remains in force for all low lying areas, and areas adjacent to small streams and creeks for Vanua Levu and for low lying areas along Naboutini through to Rewa, Rakiraki to Ba in Viti Levu. Table 1: Warnings as at 12pm today, on 1st February, 2021.

Figure 1: Forecasted track map for Tropical Cyclone Ana (Cat 2) at 12pm today, on 1st February, 2021.

Figure 2: Forecasted threat map for Tropical Cyclone Ana (Cat 2) Ana at 12pm today, on 1st February, 2021.

Figure 3: Weather map at 9am today, on 1st February, 2021.

Figure 4: Flood Warning and Water Level Map at 1pm today, on 1st February, 2021.

STATION 24 HR RAINFALL Qawa 242mm Nadarivatu 216mm Matuku 164mm Seaqaqa 163mm Wainikoro 139mm Ba 127mm Monasavu 100mm Table 2: Significant rainfall (more than 100mm) at selected sites from 9am on 31st January to 9am this morning, 1st February, 2021.

End.