Authorities in Fiji are warning of heavy rain, flooding and strong winds after rapidly intensifying Tropical Cyclone Vaianu strengthened into a category two cyclone, prompting precautionary closures of schools and universities nationwide.
The South Pacific nation's meteorological service said the storm could intensify further by Tuesday, with forecasters expecting it to reach category three strength.
Officials said it was unlikely the cyclone would make it to land, with current projections showing it tracking between Fiji and neighbouring Vanuatu over open waters.
Education Minister Aseri Radrodro urged parents to keep a close watch on their children and warned against attempting to cross flooded rivers or roads.
Authorities also advised residents to avoid swimming in rivers or the sea and cautioned about the risk of flash floods, particularly in low-lying and densely populated areas.
As of Monday morning, the storm's centre was about 530km northwest of the Yasawa island group and was moving slowly southeast.
Vaianu is one of two cyclones active in Pacific waters, with Maila strengthening to a category three storm between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology says the Maila could move southwest towards the far north Queensland coast later in the week.
with AAP
