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Exclusive: Melanie Harris touched down in Fiji this week with dreams of a peaceful tropical escape. Instead, she finds herself caught on the periphery of a category 3 cyclone.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu has been causing significant disruption on the island’s western side, especially around the popular tourist hub of Nadi.
Currently, Harris and her young son are staying at a hotel situated about an hour south of Nadi, where they have experienced firsthand the cyclone’s “terrifying” might.
“The wind is loud, relentless, and completely unpredictable,” Harris shared with nine.com.au, describing the storm’s intensity.
“You can hear it constantly, even through the walls,” she added, illustrating the cyclone’s unyielding presence.
“It just puts you on edge.”
Fiji has been buffeted by strong winds and rain, and local authorities have issued flash flood warnings in several provinces.
Harris said she heard objects being tossed around in damaging winds just last night while eating dinner at the resort where she’s staying.
She also reported multiple power outages at the resort, which have been particularly alarming at night.
“Everything suddenly goes dark and the wind is still howling outside,” she said.
”It just didn’t feel safe.”
Trying to reassure her young son and remain calm herself has been difficult.
“At one point, my son slipped on the wet tiles in the wild weather and smashed his head, which was absolutely terrifying,” Harris said.
“You’re already on edge, and then something like that happens.
“It just takes everything to another level.”
Nearly all of the activities and day trips Harris had booked have been cancelled, and she is waiting for refunds.
Hotel staff have been helpful but appear overwhelmed and under-resourced, Harris claimed.
“They have almost been downplaying the cyclone and don’t have much information to give,” she said.
Harris has been struggling to sleep and fears the situation could escalate without warning.
Tomorrow she plans to move to a different hotel in a more protected location.
She just hopes the cyclone won’t impact her flight home to Australia on Sunday.
A flight from Sydney to Fiji was diverted to Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, yesterday due to bad weather and travellers are being warned to expect significant disruptions.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has urged travellers to be on high alert, warning parts of the country could be smashed by strong winds, heavy rain and flash flooding.
Another tropical cyclone, Cyclone Maila is currently tracking off the Solomon Islands and could hit Papua New Guinea.
The category 3 storm could still hit Australia, experts have warned.
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