Tropical Cyclone Cody is on a southwestern path and will not have any direct impact on Samoa, says the Samoa Meteorology Division (MET).

The category 1 storm has unleashed flooding and heavy rain in Fiji with local authorities already reporting one death. 

However, the MET in Apia has advised that the storm is forecast to move south further away from the Samoa islands to pose no threat to the country.

Releasing its forecast on Tuesday, the MET advised that a weak trough of low pressure remains within the vicinity of Samoa extending from the east, which could trigger thunderstorms.

"This area of instability with the assistance of the surface heating and sea breeze as the prevailing winds are light could trigger afternoon showers with possible thunderstorms over hilly areas," the MET said in its forecast.

"The absence of an upper-level mechanism may limit cloud development leading to short-lived convective activities. 

“Moreover, the aforementioned trough is predicted to remain within our area through tomorrow (Wednesday) before tracking southward by Thursday. 

“Hence, anticipate cloudy periods with isolated showers and few thunderstorms likely.”

According to the MET forecast, the tropical cyclone remained at category 1 in the past 12 hours and was centred southwest of the Fiji islands or southeast of Vanuatu but has been moving away towards New Zealand.

“Therefore, the SPCZ continues to impact the western side with the support of the monsoon and the cross-equatorial flow. 

“Keeping it active with tropical cyclone formation and above normal rainfall favoured its location."

The Assistant C.E.O. of the MET has been contacted by this newspaper for a comment.

Meanwhile, the Xinhua news agency has reported Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu has suffered major damage to electricity infrastructure, triggering power outages on the main island.

Energy Fiji Limited C.E.O. Hasmukh Patel was reportedly quoted as saying the utility company has suffered major infrastructure damage from the tropical storm.