The Fiji Meteorological Service in a Special Weather Bulletin Number at 5:48am located Severe Tropical Cyclone Mal at 18.6S 176.3E, 155km Southwest of Nadi or 205km West-Northwest of Kadavu.
Mal is a Category 3 storm with maximum winds of 65 knots [120km/hr], gusting to 90 knots [170km/hr]. The system may further increase to 70 knots [130km/hr, gusting to 100 knots [185km/hr] at this hour.
TC Mal is moving Southeast at 31km/hr.
At 5pm today it is expected to be located at 20.9S 177.4E or 205km South-Southwest of Kadavu or 325km South-southwest of Suva.
At 5am on Thursday it is expected to be at 23.0S 178.6E or 380km Southwest of Ono-i-Lau or 445km south of Kadavu.
At 5pm on Thursday it is expected to be located at 24.9S 180.0E or 490km South-Southwest of Ono-i-Lau or 685km South-Southeast of Kadavu and weaken into a Low.
CAUTION: Damaging winds and cyclone impacts could begin several hours prior to the cyclone center passes over or nearby. Thus, secure your homes and properties and know your evacuation centers.
