Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula has the potential to develop into a category 4 system.
The system was initially predicted to weaken as it would have entered the Fiji waters.
However over the last 24 hours, the category 3 cyclone has been intensifying.
A storm warning is now in place for Fulaga, Ogea, Vatoa and Ono i Lau as severe tropical cyclone Ula continues to intensify.
Fulaga, Ogea, Vatoa and Ono i Lau can expect wind speed up to 95 kilometers per hour while Kabara, Namuka, Moce, Oneata, Matuku, Totoya and Komo can expect winds up to 75 kilometers per hours.
” Tropical Cyclone Ula continues to move west southwest at about 15 knots and is expected to intensify further. Close to its center the cyclone is expected to have average winds 150 kilometers per hour and momentary gusts to 205 kilometers per hour.” said Ravind Kumar- Director Meteorology.
Destructive winds are expected to begin hours before the cyclone center passes by.
Lau waters and Southern Koro Sea is also expected to get winds of hurricane force.
” The cyclone has moved very close to Kabara and the rain and clouds are affecting the islands as well as the group. Some of the reports that have come about by 6am this morning string winds are being experienced gusting up to 33 knots.”
The cyclone has also maintained its west south west direction for last 12 to 36 hours.
” In the last 24 to 48 hours the cyclone was moving quite fast. It was expected to move fast and weaken gradually however in the last 12 to 24 hours, we saw that it has slowed down and picked up intensity and expected to intensify.” said Kumar
Members of the public have been reminded to take heed of the weather advice and prepare for the worse.