Tropical Cyclone Mal is set to sideswipe Fiji overnight as a Category 2 or Category 3 tropical cyclone.
Tropical Cyclone Mal developed into a tropical cyclone on Monday evening and has since increased in strength to a Category 2 system on Tuesday morning. As of 3pm Fiji time (FJT), Mal has sustained winds of 100km/h, gusting up to 140km/h and is moving at a brisk 29km/h to the southeast.
Video: Enhanced infrared satellite showing Tropical Cyclone Mal pulsing with activity as it approaches Fiji
During the early and mid-morning of Wednesday, Tropical Cyclone Mal is forecast to sideswipe of Fiji’s western coast, including the tourist-hotspot of Nadi. Nadi International Airport is preparing for a night of rain, thunderstorms, low visibility (down to 1500m at times) and winds of 45 knots (83km/h), gusting up to 65 knots (120km/h).
Image: Sustained winds from Tropical Cyclone Mal at 4am FJT when it's at its closest to Fiji. Winds in red are gales exceeding 60km