Tropical Cyclone Sarai

The maximum winds at its centre are up to 120 kilometres per hour, with momentary gusts to 170 kilometres per hour, hitting the southern island groups.

Two people have now died during the storm, after an 18-year-old drowned while swimming yesterday.

The Fijian Broadcasting Corporation reports the body of a man, in his late 40s, was recovered in Naivucini, north of Suva inland on the main island Viti Levu.

The FBC says villagers helped police search for the man, and it's believed he was swept away by strong currents when crossing a river yesterday.

The Category One storm is expected to become a Category Two cyclone later tonight as it moves down Fiji's west coast.

At 1pm Fiji time today, the centre was located 230 kilometres north-west of Nadi and winds were gusting to 120 kilometres an hour.

The cyclone is moving south but will turn south-east, and on its forecast track will pass adjacent to the main island Viti Levu and then across Fiji's southern islands, before heading towards Tonga's Ha'apai Group.

The Fiji Meteorology Service said Tropical Cyclone Sarai is moving south at 35 km/hr.

The cyclone is expected to have average winds of up to to 65 km/hr with gusts of 90 km/hr.

The Fiji Met Service said heavy rain may lead to flash flooding.