Fiji lifts cyclone warning as a new depression forms near Vanuatu

Fiji’s Meteorological Service says the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Rae has severely impacted local communities.

Fiji's metservice also says a tropical depression to the east of Vanuatu, named Seru, has intensified and is expected to become a category two storm overnight.

Seru is forecast to pass down the eastern side of Vanuatu before heading southeast and to the far south of Fiji.

Forecaster Misaeli Funaki says TC Rae “came pretty close to some of the islands in the Lau group”.

“The devastation on the ground is enormous in terms of reports of some houses that got damaged, vegetation, of course, got damaged as well, and even some of the jetties got swept away because of the waves that are associated with Tropical Cyclone Rae,” he says.

Nacanieli Tuilevuka, a journalist in northern Fiji, says, “They were only affected by heavy rain and strong winds yesterday, and some major parts in the greater Labasa area, some places in Taveuni Island, and areas in Tukavesi were underwater.

“An area in Wainikoro couldn’t access health services yesterday due to poor drainage. The floodwaters had actually suspended from the Wainikoro hospital up to the police station,” Tuilevuka says.

As of 12pm local time on Tuesday, TC Rae was located 215km south of Ono-i-Lau, with sustained winds of 110km/h and gusts up to 155km/h.

The storm is moving further south at a speed of 23km/h, gradually exiting Fiji’s waters.

While the cancellation of the cyclone warning has offered some relief to affected communities, remnants of TC Rae continue to impact parts of the country.

A strong wind warning remains for the Yasawa, Lau, and Lomaiviti groups, Kadavu, and nearby smaller islands. A heavy rain warning is in place for the entire Fiji group, with rainfall expected to continue until Wednesday.

Education Minister Aseri Radrodro says schools will remain closed in these affected areas.

“Schools in the Northern Division, Lau Group, and Lomaiviti, except for Rotuma, remain closed due to the ongoing disruptions to water, essential services and risks posed by Cyclone Rae until further notice.”

Officials are urging the public to stay safe and remain informed about the weather conditions.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Number 17 issued 0141 UTC Tuesday 25 February 2025/Photo/Fiji Meteorological Service.

“I think the main message is for people to remain alert and keep our ears peeled on the weather, particularly even though Tropical Cyclone Rae affected the eastern parts of Fiji and has moved away, we have another system that is moving just north-west of Fiji,” warns Funaki.

“Though it will not move directly towards Fiji, the weather associated with it will affect Fiji, particularly the islands that are to the south end of Mamanuca … which is with regards to continuous rain, and rain will always lead to flooding of low-lying flood-prone areas, and also will lead to flooding of some of the major rivers.

“The message is for people always to be prepared, the escape routes that they have and also the evacuation centres that are open beside them or in the area, just in case they need to move to higher places,” Funaki says.

Stay informed about the latest weather updates by visiting the Fiji Meteorological Service website.