DEVASTATING tropical cyclone Winton which has stormed Fiji over the weekend is very unlikely to reach the Solomon Islands.
Director of the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) David Hiba revealed this in a statement yesterday, when responding to desperate calls from members of the public.
A number of concerned citizens have been worried for fear that the tropical cyclone might shift its way towards the country.
“To respond to a lot of queries whether Cyclone Winston will ever reach Solomon Islands, the answer is, VERY UNLIKELY.
“The cyclone is currently between Fiji and Vanuatu and is expected to continue to track down south either towards New Caledonia or New Zealand.
“As it enters cooler water, it will start to weaken and then disappear,” the SIMS Director said.
He added that, Cyclone Winston actually started around Temotu Province exactly 2 weeks ago from yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Category 5 Tropical Cyclone was the most powerful recorded cyclone ever to hit Fiji.
The monster storm, packing 230 kilometres an hour winds and gusting to 325kmh, has destroyed homes, properties and crops, cut power, communication and transport, and brought heavy seas and flooding over the weekend.
By RONALD TOITO’ONA
