Background edit
The Republic of Fiji is an island nation located within the South Pacific Ocean, about 2000 kilometres (1245 mi) to the northeast of New Zealand's North Island. Its closest neighbours are Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tonga, to the east, the Samoas and France's Wallis and Futuna to the northeast, and Tuvalu to the north. Fiji consists of over 330 island nations and extends from Rotuma in the far north to Ono-i-Lau in the south as well as from Viwa in the west across the 180th meridian to Vatoa in the east. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from the base of a thunderstorm, down towards the ground and are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. According to the Fiji Meteorological Service, tornadoes have occurred in Fiji since the 1960s, but are generally thought to be a rare occurrence.[1]
Possible Tornado's edit
- December 30, 1959 - A possible tornado moved through the village of Yako on Viti Levu, where a person was killed and several others were injured.[2]
- April 5 - 6, 1976 - A small tornado associated with Tropical Cyclone Betty caused some damage to the village of Yako near Nadi.[3]
- January 4 - 5, 1978 - A death was reported in Sambeto, when an isolated squall (possibly an incipient tornado) associated with Tropical Cyclone Bob, demolished several houses in a narrow strip about 50–100 metres (160–330 ft) wide.[3]
- January 8, 1998 - A tornado associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Susan damaged several shops, power lines, a bus station and the roof of a shopping complex.[4]
- March 14, 2011 - Residents of Navua claimed that a tornado had impacted them.[5]
2020s edit
- April 7 - 8, 2020 - The FMS received several reports of tornadoes occurring and causing severe damage to houses in the Central Divison, as Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold made landfall in the island nation.[6]
- January 12, 2023 - An Australian who was on holiday in Fiji observed a mini-tornado as he drove along Suva's Kings Road, however, there were no injuries or damages reported from the tornado.[7]
- March 23, 2024 - The Fiji Meteorological Service reported that a small/mini tornado had occurred in Nakasi, after receiving a report of 1 person being injured, destructive winds and some property damage.[8]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Movono, Lice (April 8, 2020). "Tornadoes happen in Fiji, but rarely: Weather Office". Mai TV.
- ^ Gabites, John Fletcher (March 17, 1977). Information Sheet No. 8: Tropical cyclones affecting Fiji: 1949/50 – 1958/59 (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service.
- ^ a b Waygood, J.L.M. (October 20, 1980). Tropical Cyclones affecting Fiji: November 1969 to April 1980 (Information Sheet No. 59). Fiji Meteorological Service.
- ^ Preliminary Report on Tropical Cyclone Susan — January 3 - 9, 1998 (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. January 20, 1998. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
- ^ https://fijisun.com.fj/2011/03/14/navua-residents-claim-tornado-hit/
- ^ Fiji Climate Summary: April 2020 (PDF) (Report). Vol. 41. Fiji Meteorological Service. May 8, 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 20, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ^ Fiji Climate Summary: January 2023 (PDF) (Report). Vol. 44. Fiji Meteorological Service. February 7, 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ "Mini Tornado Reported in Nakasi" (Press release). Fiji Government. March 24, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.