The National Disaster Management Office is advising those living in low lying areas to move to high grounds now as Tropical Cyclone Sarai is expected to intensify from tonight with more rain and strong winds.
NDMO Director Vasiti Soko said that all agencies are on standby to support the response efforts when the need arises.
"At the moment, government agencies are run by skeleton staff mostly by heads of departments as staff are being advised to stay home and assist in the securing of their houses and prepare for Tropical Cyclone Sarai" said Soko.
Soko added that the Ministry of Civil Service had issued an advisory to all Permanent Secretaries to use their own discretion in keeping their staff at home.
Minister for Infrastructure, National Disaster Management and Fiji Meteorological Office, Jone Usamate is pleading to all Fijians to adhere to weather warnings and to take advisories seriously.
Meanwhile Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama this morning visited the National Emergency Operations Center and reiterated to operational staff the need to make safety paramount for Fijians living in vulnerable areas.
Localised heavy rain may lead to flooding of low lying areas. Coastal sea flooding to be expected during high tides if the cyclone centre passes nearby.
EVACUATION CENTERS:
63 people are now taking shelter in 3 Evacuation Centers around the country.
They include (16 people) Tokou Village in Ovalau, (26 people) Matawalu Church Pentecostal in Lautoka and (21 people) Marata Hall in Wailoku.