Update: 1:38PM LAKEBA remains unaffected by Tropical Cyclone Ula.

Jope
Volaubalavu, a Methodist Church pastor based at the chiefly village of
Tubou, reported that families were continuing with activities planned for New
Year’s Day.

“It’s
cloudy and we have had the occasional gusts of strong wind and some light rain
so far,” he said during a telephone interview about half an hour ago.

“However,
we are aware that a cyclone is approaching and we have been told that by Sunday
we will feel its strongest impact.

“The
village has a lot of soqo going on and people are continuing with that
today because the weather has not deteriorated and everything is okay for now.”

Heavy rainfall is
already occurring in most parts of the country and the weather office has
already warned of flash flooding in low-lying areas.

TC Ula
intensified into a Category Three system overnight.

Fiji
Meteorological Services director Ravind Kumar said the storm was located about
330kilometres southeast of Apia, Samoa, at 7am today.

It has wind
speeds of 65 knots estimated near the centre. Forecasters are expecting the
system to trek west-southwest for the next 24-48 hours.

On this projected path, Tropical Cyclone Ula is expected to
lie about 520km east of Lakeba Island at 7am tomorrow.