A ute carrying six passengers and a cow was washed away by strong currents while trying to cross a flooded bridge in Naitasiri outside of Suva. Video / Ro Veronika Rokoisau
Holidaymakers in Fiji can only sit and wait out a tropical cyclone still hammering the small island nation.
Tropical Cyclone Sarai - upgraded to a Category 2 event yesterday - is averaging winds of up to 100km/h with momentary gusts of up to 140km/h close to its centre, authorities say.
The latest update from the Nadi Weather Office, as at 6am, was that it was moving at a speed of up to 17km/h and people should expect an increase in "damaging gale force winds."
It is moving away from the mainland and is expected to head towards Tongan waters between tomorrow and Monday.
The Tongan Met authority has issued a tropical cyclone alert this morning, saying that on its current track, the cyclone is expected to lie about 135km west southwest of Kadavu, Fiji, by about 1pm today.
Photos and video footage online today show damaged homes, trees down in low-lying areas and roads flooded.
A ute carrying up to six people and a cow was swept away as it attempted to cross a flooded bridge in Fiji. Image / Ro Veronika Rokoisau
There are not yet any reports of injuries.
However, dramatic video footage has emerged of a ute - carrying up to six people and a cow - attempting to cross a flooded river in the Naitasiri province.
Members of the public can be heard yelling out to the group, some of whom are struggling in the water while holding on to the vehicle, as men try to pull the ute in via a rope that has been attached to it.
It is understood all made it to land safely, but the vehicle was damaged. The fate of the cow is unknown.
Late last night, the Fiji Meteorological Services Office issued a storm warning in full force for parts of the country.
Authorities were working to evacuate people living on coastal areas and evacuation centres were being set up to help those affected.
"More evacuation centres are expected to be activated as people living in low-lying areas and coastal areas have started experiencing damaging winds and heavy rain," a media statement said.
Flights cancelled again
Flights from Auckland International Airport and any due to arrive from Nadi are all cancelled today.
A statement from Air NZ encouraged passengers affected to check its Travel Alerts page for updates, information on rebooking and the flexibility the airline is offering in light of the situation.
Tropical Cyclone Sarai is bringing in winds of up to 100km/h and at times, 140km/h. Image / www.windy.com
"We apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused and thank them for their understanding at this time," the airline said.
A New Zealand couple staying on Mana Island - to the west of mainland Fiji - described "intense" winds and heavy rains when the tropical cyclone arrived yesterday.
Melonie Sheppard said they were in lockdown in their room at the resort they are staying in.
"We're being hammered by intense winds and horizontal rains. The resort is providing packed meals and water direct to rooms when they can.
"We are due to fly home [tomorrow] at 2pm, so keeping all fingers and toes crossed that ferry and Air New Zealand services will be up and running again by then."
