Flood advisory remains

By Aruna Lolani 10 February 2017, 12:00AM

A flood advisory remains for Samoa and members of the public – especially residents of low-lying areas – are warned to be prepared. 

The warning comes as trough of low pressure north of Samoa responsible for the heavy downpours during the past few days moves over the country.

This is according to the Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Samoa Meteorology, Mulipola Ausetalia Titimaea.

“At the moment, we have a heavy rain warning in effect,” he said. 

“This is due to the active convergence zone which lies north west aligned to the south east of the country. That’s what’s causing this very active weather.” 

For the past few days, the M.E.T Office has continuously warned members of the public.

 “Because of these low clouds around the peripherals of the ocean’s coastal areas, this is why we also issue these small graphs advisory for coastal areas.

“It’s mainly for shipping alias and boats. There is a very stationary disturbance system just to the south of Fiji and it’s forcing some swells coming in from the south.”

Mulipola added that most countries in the Pacific region are affected. Fiji and Tonga have been experiencing heavy flooding.

 “The extent of this convergence zone aligns itself from the north west all the way up to the Solomon Islands to the south east of us (Samoa).

“It covers a very big area of converging winds, also flooding and a lot of moisture and as we have observed in the past, a lot of squally thunderstorms is associated with the very moist atmosphere so that’s why we are getting a lot of rainfall.”

Mulipola said it should clear up by the weekend.

 “We expect some improvements in the weekend as this convergence moves south but as of now, it’s very unstable weather for us.”

Mulipola also said there is no cyclone warning yet.

“I think in the next seven days, we do not expect to have a tropical cyclone even though there is a system south of us, south of Fiji. 

“It has been predicted that there’s not a potential for that system to develop into a tropical cyclone because as it moves further south to 20° latitude, it might be caught up with strong winds which will decrease the potential of developing it into a tropical cyclone.

“But there is a system close to Noumea that is developing at this time but it’s very far away from us at this time.”

Mulipola said that there would still be some scattered showers for the next few days. 

Mulipola asked members of the public, especially children and teenagers, not to venture outside where there is flooding.

“Just be cautious,” he said. 

By Aruna Lolani 10 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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