Tropical depression moves towards Fiji

Fiji's National Weather Office on Monday advised the general public not to go out at sea later this week as Tropical Depression 11F is nearing the South Pacific island country.

Misaeli Funaki, principal scientific officer of the office, said while the tropical depression does not pose any direct threat to Fiji so far, its brunt will be felt by most within the Fiji Group.

"As it is, TD11F does not currently pose a direct threat to Fiji but later this week by Wednesday up until Friday, we should be experiencing rain, heavy at times and thunderstorms not forgetting moderate to rough seas of up to 25-30 knots," Funaki said, urging people not to go out at sea.

Funaki also urged those living in low lying and flood prone areas to monitor weather reports as the low depression can cause flash floods.

"People living in flood prone areas and those areas which experiences flash flooding are requested to also be on the alert," he said.

Authorities are advising the public to monitor the situation and to contact their divisional offices for queries, according to the Department of Information.

The tropical depression is moving slowly and expected to pass to the southwest of Fiji from Wednesday to Friday. Endi