The Fiji Meteorological Services says that TC Irene has intensified into a Category 2 system while located to the south of Villa, Vanuatu.
It is tracking east-southeast at around 46km/hour with maximum winds of 102 km/per hour near the center with gusts up to 120 km/hour.
TC Irene is likely to track over open waters and remain to the southwest of Fiji, about 560 kilometres southwest off Kadavu tonight.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms is expected over Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, Western and Northern Viti Levu [Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki, Interior Ba and Interior Ra], Bua and Macuata Province, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.
