A STRONGER and bigger Tropical Cyclone Winston is expected to re-enter Fiji waters over the next 24 to 48 hours.

The Category 4 system turned back from Tonga yesterday and is headed straight for the Lau Group.

The system, which has affected the country from last week, will bring with it destructive gale force winds and even more rain.

Fiji Meteorological Service director Ravind Kumar said a tropical cyclone alert was now in force for the Lau Group and the rest of the country should be prepared for thunderstorms and flash floods in low-lying areas.

“All of the communities in the Lau Group are requested to prepare themselves well for TC Winston because as it enters Fiji waters as a Category 4 cyclone, we expect the damage to be twice as much as what we saw a couple of days ago,” he said.

“People living in the outer islands especially in the Lau Group need to understand that when it was in Ono-i-Lau waters before moving onto Tonga, it was a Category 2 system.

“Now it is coming back as a Category 4 system with winds around its centre of about 19 knots.

“The system is quite intense and on its projected path it will enter the Fiji Group from the East.”

Mr Kumar said strengthening gale force winds would bring more damage.

“A strong wind warning remains in force for Lau waters and we expect very strong winds over the group,” he said.

Members of the public have been advised to keep themselves updated with the latest weather reports.