SUVA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has urged Fijians to stay alert in this festive season and focus on disaster preparedness as a tropical cyclone is anticipated to develop and affect Fiji after Christmas.
NDMO said the Divisional Emergency Operation Centers around Fiji are prepared for the 2019/2020 Cyclone Season and will continue to coordinate all relief and response operations on the ground with the National Emergency Operation Center.
Cyclone season in Fiji runs from November to April.
NDMO Director Vasiti Soko said Tuesday they are also working closely with the first responders to strengthen their coordination to prepare for any possible events.
Soko is urging everyone to make a disaster plan including a secure location or shelter for evacuation, conduct drills with family members, schools or villages so that they are aware of their response plans.
She said all family members including children, people living with disabilities to get emergency contacts, an emergency kit, a battery-powered radio, a charged mobile phone and top-up credit.
Fiji Meteorological Service said a broad low-pressure area is located to the far north of Fiji and a significant low-pressure system is expected to develop over this area and move towards the island nation by Friday.
They say the low-pressure system has a high chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.
Fiji Meteorological Service says the weather forecasting models are in agreement with the low-pressure system developing into a tropical cyclone but has some differences on the forecast track.
They say the weather for Christmas should be fine but it is expected to deteriorate during the weekend.
