4 Jan 2019

Cyclone Mona remains a category one storm

10:46 am on 4 January 2019

Cyclone Mona is expected to maintain its current strength as it makes its way through Fiji waters.

The category one storm passed to the east of the far northern island of Rotuma overnight with winds gusting as high as 90km/h.

Early this morning Mona slightly increased in strength with winds gusting to 100km/hr.

However it is no longer projected to intensify into a category two storm until it has moved well away from Fiji.

The forecast track for Cyclone Mona

The forecast track for Cyclone Mona Photo: Fiji Met Service

At five o'clock this morning, Mona was about 210km north of Yasawa-I-Rara or about 250km northwest of Labasa.

The gale warning has now been cancelled for Rotuma and there have been no reports of damage there.

A cyclone alert remains in force for Vanua Levu as well as for the Yasawa Group, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands.

The storm is expected to pass near Vanua Levu late on Saturday.

Heavy rain and wind warnings are already in force for much of the country.

Authorities are urging people to prepare for flooding, as the region is already sodden after weeks of heavy rain.