APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #1-2007: Cyclone Daman forms near Rotuma, Fiji

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre have begun issuing guidance on Cyclone Daman that formed near Rotuma, Fiji Wednesday afternoon.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located 85 kilometres east-north-east of Rotuma. Daman is moving to the west at 20 km/hr, and will pass near or over Rotuma in the next 12-18 hours. Cyclone Daman is currently at Tropical Storm strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. It is forecast to slightly increase to a possible Category 1 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale as it passes by Rotuma.

Rotuma residents need to listen to Government warnings and take immediate action in line with a Category 1 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale

ALERTS AND WARNINGS

FIJI
A TROPICAL CYCLONE GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA AND SURROUNDING ISLETS.

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number ONE FOR ROTUMA ON TROPICAL CYCLONE
DAMAN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI
at 2:37pm on Wednesday the 5th of December 2007
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA.

TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE WAS LOCATED NEAR 12 DECIMAL 1 DEGREES SOUTH 177 DECIMAL 7 DEGREES EAST OR ABOUT 85 KILOMETRES EAST-NORTHEAST OF ROTUMA AT 2PM TODAY. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 65 TO 75 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS OF 100 KM/HR. WINDS MAY INCREASE FURTHER AS THE CYCLONE INTENSIFIES.

THE CYCLONE IS MOVING TOWARDS THE WEST AT AROUND 20 KM/HR. ON THIS TRACK THE CYCLONE IS EXPECTED TO PASS CLOSE TO OR OVER ROTUMA WITHIN THE NEXT 12 TO 18 HOURS.

EXPECT WINDS OVER ROTUMA TO INCREASE TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS TO 65 TO 75 KM/HR AND MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 100 KM/HR TONIGHT. FREQUENT HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS EXPECTED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ESPECIALLY FOR THE MARINERS: EXPECT DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITHIN 90 MILES OF CENTRE. VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

The next Special Weather Bulletin for Rotuma will be issued around 5.30pm today.

___________________________________________________________
APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.