Cyclone Ana intensifies as it moves onto Fiji's Viti Levu

Cyclone Ana has developed into a category 2 storm, with winds gusting up to 140 km/hr, as it moves onto Fiji's Viti Levu.

Early this morning the storm had begun to move onto the northern side of Viti Levu, having already caused major flooding over the past 24 hours.

The Fiji Meteorological Service said the Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, as well as Viti Levu, the Western half of Vanua Levu and the Lomaiviti group could suffer significant damage to trees, crop and weak structures while power failures were also expected.

Vatulele, Beqa, Kadavu and the Moala island group were also forecast to be impacted.

Senior Forecaster, Samisoni Waqavakatoga, told FBC News, there was also a possibility of Cyclone Ana further intensifying into a category 3 storm in the next 24 to 48 hours as it moved east-southeast.

This is the second cyclone to hit Fiji in just over a month, with Cyclone Yasa causing devastation in northern parts of the country and killing four people in December.